Antonio Lodi

Career
Lodi worked his way through the Empoli youth system and after an impressive youth season (25 goals, 7 assists in 30 games), he gained his pro contract in the 22/23 season. Unfortunately for Lodi, this saw him stuck in the reserves for the next 3 seasons and not even getting a look in for the first team. Antonio was keen for some first team football, so when a bosman offer came in from League One side Gateshead, he took it quickly. Lodi was coming into English football very young and would have a lot to prove. The season before, Gateshead striker Oli Shaw, scored 34 goals in all competitions. It was the fans understanding, that Lodi would learn from him and fellow youngster von Schrotter. After Oli Shaw had a poor start to the season, Ireland decided to give Lodi his start due to an impressive pre-season. He hit the ground running and couldn't stop scoring, he won young player of the month 4 times in the season and came away with the league top scorer award and beating Shaw's (who had left the club in January because of a drop in form) goal record with 35 goals in the 25/26 season. This helped Gateshead reach the play-offs, but unfortunately they did not get to the final. Ireland will be looking forward to watching the Italian improve in seasons to come. But the next season came and with upcoming star von Schrotter showing his talent, Lodi ended up losing his place. He ended up frequently appearing on the right wing and still managed 39 appearances but only 8 goals and 3 assists. Ireland is looking at going with a striker partnership instead of a lone forward to allow the abundance of strikers at the club to get on the score sheet. Lodi's 3rd season at the club was in the Championship, he managed to perform better than his previous year in league one. Scoring 9 and assisting 1 in only 28 appearances. The 28/29 season took a big low for Lodi, only scoring 1 and assisting 1 over 17 appearances. Ireland placed him on the transfer list but no offers came in for the Italian forward. He will looked to be moved on in January if possible. Gateshead ended up winning the Championship in the next 29/30 season. Lodi only played 23 games in this season but still managed to score and assist 4. When in the Premiership it was very apparent that Lodi was way down the pecking order. He only played 7 games which were in cup games which were on either wing. Although he did manage 1 goal through the 30/31 season. At the end of the season, a £1.5 million offer came in from Derby County, which Ireland initially scoffed at as he believed he was worth more than this. But after some consideration he decided to accept it as he didn't believe there would be any greater bids. He left the club as the 3rd top scorer in the Ireland era with 58 goals (and 10 assists) in 155 games.