Francesco Camarda

Club career AC Milan Youth Camarda started his career with Afforese, a football school in Affori, Milan, where he grew up.

Eventually, his goal-scoring feats drew the attention of international media, and he was lauded for having scored 485 goals in only 89 matches for AC Milan's academy, an average of 5.45 goals per game. He trained with AC Milan's under-19 side at the age of fourteen, and scored two goals for the side in a friendly win against Eccellenza team Solbiatese.

Camarda made his UEFA Youth League debut against Newcastle United on 19 September 2023, scoring a brace in a 4–0 victory. These goals made Camarda the second-youngest player to score a brace in the tournament and the youngest-ever Italian goalscorer at , breaking Fabrizio Caligara's record of .

Senior In November 2023, amid an injury crisis, AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli called up Camarda as part of the first team squad for the Serie A game against Fiorentina on 25 November 2023; in order to do so, the club had to specifically request an authorization from the Italian Football Federation, as under-16 players are normally not allowed to be part of an Italian first team. He was eventually substituted on for Luka Jović in the 83rd minute, becoming the youngest Serie A footballer ever at of age.

Camarda made his debut for the newly created reserve team Milan Futuro on 10 August 2024, starting for a 3–0 away win Coppa Italia Serie C first round match against Lecco.

On 17 August 2024, he scored the two goals of a 2–1 Milan Futuro away win Coppa Italia Serie C round of 16 match against Novara.

Camarda became the youngest Italian to debut in the Champions League at 16 years and 226 days, 42 days younger than previous record holder Moise Kean, and the seventh youngest player in the competition's history, after coming on as a substitute in the 75th minute against Club Brugge on 22 October 2024. Appearing to score within minutes of being introduced, Camarda's goal was subsequently disallowed for offside following a VAR check, but he still received a yellow card for having celebrated by removing his shirt.

Loan to Lecce On 7 July 2025, Camarda joined fellow Serie A club Lecce on loan for the 2025–26 season, with an option to make the move permanent. Later that year, on 28 September, he scored his first Serie A goal in the stoppage time of a 2–2 draw against Bologna, becoming the youngest Lecce player to achieve this feat, aged 17 years and 202 days.

On 16 June 2026, Lecce activated Camarda's buy option from AC Milan, and signed him permanently ahead of the 2026–27 season.

Return to AC Milan On 18 June 2026, AC Milan exercised their buy-back clause for Camarda, and he rejoined the Rossoneri for the 2026–27 season.

International career Camarda has represented Italy at under-15, under-16, and under-17 levels.

With the U17 side he won the 2024 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, in which he scored four goals and was named Player of the Tournament. In the same year, with the Italy U19 he also took part in the 2024 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, in which he scored two goals.

In May 2026, Camarda was one of the players who were called up with the Italy national senior squad by interim head coach Silvio Baldini, for the friendly matches against Luxembourg and Greece on 3 and 7 June 2026, respectively.

Career statistics Club

International

Honours AC Milan Supercoppa Italiana: 2024

Italy U17 UEFA European Under-17 Championship: 2024

Individual UEFA European Under-17 Championship Player of the Tournament: 2024 UEFA European Under-17 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2024