“We are happy with him, both as a player and as a man, who embraced Florence and Fiorentina with joy. When he is happy, he can achieve anything.”

These were the words of Fiorentina sporting director Daniele Pradè in a press conference today when discussing the club’s star forward Moise Kean.

The 25-year-old had an impressive first season in Florence, in which he scored 25 goals in all competitions and finished as the second-top scorer in Serie A. His reward was a new contract, tying him to La Viola until 2029 and raising his release clause to a reported €62 million.

Now, the striker looks to pick up where he left off last season, as he embarks on a new campaign with Fiorentina but it wasn’t always such plain sailing for the talented Italian.

FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 30: Fans of ACF Fiorentina celebrates after goal of Moise Kean of ACF Fiorentina during the Serie A match between Fiorentina and Atalanta at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 30, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

From Turin beginnings to spells abroad to the hero of Florence: Moise Kean, a career so far

Moise Kean was born in Vercelli in Italy in February 2000 and spent his youth career at Asti and Torino before signing for Turin rivals Juventus in 2010.

Kean would spend six years in the Bianconeri youth system before making his professional debut for the club in 2016, coming on as a substitute for Croatian forward Mario Mandzukic in a 3-0 win against Pescara.

The youngster played four games in the 2016-17 campaign, scoring once, and was loaned to Hellas Verona the following season. In Verona, Kean scored four times in 19 Serie A games and returned to the Bianconeri the following season to score six in 13 league matches.

It was after that 2018-19 season that Kean left Juventus to join Premier League side Everton in a deal worth a reported total package of €30 million. It was a gamble, for both Everton and the striker himself and unfortunately was one that did not pay off.

The Italian scored just twice in 29 Premier League appearances for the Toffees and the following year was sent out on loan to PSG to moderate success.

Paris Saint Germain’s Moise Kean reacts after scoring a goal during the French Ligue 1 soccer match between PSG and Brest at the Parc des Princes stadium in Pa?ris, France, 09 January 2021. EPA-EFE/YOAN VALAT

Kean then returned to Everton prior to the 2021-22 season before returning to Juventus on a two-year loan with an obligation to buy, which would see the Old Lady pay the English side a total of €38 million including the loan fee itself and add-ons.

The forward had two decent campaigns with the Bianconeri in 2021-22 and 2022-23, with his transfer being made permanent in March 2023. However, Kean would fail to score in the 2023-24 season and failed a medical that cancelled a potential loan move to Atletico Madrid in the January transfer window of that year.

Having failed to score a goal in a year, the striker left Juventus in search of a new opportunity and joined Fiorentina, who opted to take a gamble on Kean for €13 million, with a potential €5 million in bonuses.

And the rest, as they say, is history. Kean scored 19 goals in 32 Serie A appearances for La Viola last campaign and finished behind only compatriot Mateo Retegui in the Serie A top scorer charts.

Kean flies for Italy as career sees fresh lease of life

Not only has Moise Kean been in fine form for Fiorentina this year but the Italian national team too.

In March, the 25-year-old scored Italy’s first two goals as they fought back from three goals down to draw 3-3 with Germany in the Nations League and the Fiorentina star has now added to his tally in Gennaro Gattuso’s first two games as head coach against Estonia and Israel.

Moise Kean celebrates scoring for Italy against Israel in the World Cup qualifier (@azzurri)

Kean scored the opener in the 5-0 win over Estonia and Italy’s first two equalisers in their 5-4 win over Israel. Adding this to the goals against Germany, it means all of his strikes have been decisive in huge results for the Azzurri.

The Italian has had a career full of ups and downs and highs and lows but finally appears to be in a more stable place.

To echo Daniele Prade’s words, “When he is happy, he can achieve anything.” And the forward does truly seem to be enjoying life at Fiorentina, bringing him improved success both domestically and internationally.