Antonino Ragusa


Antonino Ragusa is an Italian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Serie B club Spezia, on loan from Hellas Verona.

Club career

Treviso

Born in Messina, Sicily, Ragusa started his professional career at Veneto club Treviso, where he played for Allievi Nazionali under-17 team in 2006–07 season. In 2008–09 season, despite remained as a member of the under-20 team, Ragusa made his Serie B debut on 7 February 2009 against Rimini. The club bankrupted at the end of season.

Genoa

In July 2009 Ragusa was signed by Serie A club Genoa along with youngster Thomas Bonotto and Marco Bincoletto. Ragusa was a member of Genoa's under-20 team, the Primavera.
In August 2010 he was loaned to Lega Pro Prima Divisione club Salernitana with an option to purchase. The club reached the promotion playoffs but losing to Verona in the finals. Ragusa himself was in the starting eleven in the playoffs as wing forward/winger in the 4–3–3/4–2–3–1 formation, to support Dino Fava along with Fabinho. In June 2011 Salernitana excised the option but Genoa also excised the counter-option for €100,000. At the end of season Salernitana also bankrupted again.

Reggina (loan)

On 27 June 2011 he was transferred to second division club Reggina, initially in co-ownership deal to compensate the signing of Francesco Acerbi. However the deal documented to Lega Serie B on 31 August 2011 along with Matteo D'Alessandro, but Ragusa became a loan deal. He picked no.90 shirt. Despite only half of the appearances as starter under former Salernitana coach Roberto Breda, Ragusa scored 6 goals in late September to October. Ragusa started most of the game fixture from October to 10 December, partnering centre forward Emiliano Bonazzoli or Fabio Ceravolo in 3–4–1–2 formation The coach then used him to play as an attacking midfielder/wing forward in 4–2–3–1/4–3–3 formation. Ragusa was out-favoured by Breda in his last two games in charge, with the return of 3–5–2 featuring another forward Alessio Campagnacci to partner with Alessio Viola or Bonazzoli. Despite new coach Angelo Gregucci used 3–4–3 formation in his first game, Ragusa remained on the bench. The coach again rotated its starting XI in order to find the best formation. Ragusa returned to starting XI in round 25 and again in round 27, as a right midfielder in 3–5–2 formation.
In June 2012 Reggina decided to sign Ragusa in co-ownership deal, however Genoa activated the counter-option that Genoa paid Reggina €50,000.

Pescara

Ragusa was signed by Serie A club Pescara in a co-ownership deal for €1.5 million on 30 July 2012. On 31 August 2012 he was loaned to Serie B newcomer Ternana along with team-mates Riccardo Brosco and Riccardo Maniero. After Pescara relegated, on 30 June 2013 the co-ownership deal was renewed as well as remaining in Pescara. Ragusa became a key player for the club despite they failed to return to Serie A immediately. On 20 June 2014 the co-ownership deal was renewed again.

Genoa return

Ragusa returned to Genoa in a temporary deal in July 2014. However, on 12 September 2014 Ragusa left for another Serie B newcomer Vicenza Calcio from Genoa for €60,000. In June 2015 Genoa bought back Ragusa for €725,000.

Cesena

On 14 July 2015 Ragusa was signed by Cesena for €2.5 million.

Sassuolo

On 26 August 2016 he was signed by Sassuolo. He made his debut against his former club Pescara on 28 August. However, he was deemed ineligible by Italian Football Federation, making the club from winning the match to losing 0–3.

Hellas Verona

On 3 August 2018, Ragusa joined to Serie B club Hellas Verona on loan until 30 June 2019 with obligatory buy.

Spezia

On 1 September 2019, Ragusa joined Spezia on loan until 30 June 2020.

International career

In November 2011 Ragusa received his first national team call-up. That month Ragusa played both rounds of 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification. He was the left winger in the latter game against Hungary.