By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Virtus Bologna secured the services of 20-year-old Francesco Ferrari.
The promising Italian forward signed a multi-year contract.
The deal was announced on Sunday.
𝐇𝐄’𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐘 🌪
Francesco Ferrari è un nuovo giocatore dei Campioni d’Italia 🤍🖤 pic.twitter.com/1pywDmFMDd— Virtus Bologna (@VirtusBo) January 4, 2026
The son of former player Federico Ferrari confirmed credentials as the Most Valuable Player of the FIBA U20 EuroBasket 2025. Displaying his talents in Heraklion, Greece, last July, he averaged 15.9 points per game, leading Italy to gold for the first time since 2013. He previously represented his country in the FIBA U20 EuroBasket 2024 and the FIBA U18 European Championship 2023. Debuting with the senior national team, he earned two caps in the FIBA World Cup 2027 Qualifiers.
At the club level, Ferrari suited up for Cipir College Borgomanero in Serie B, before moving to UEB Gesteco Cividale and Serie A2 in 2024. Behind explosive showings, including a 36-point display against Wegreenit Urania Milano in December, he produced 13.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game this season. His next challenge is in the EuroLeague and Italy’s LBA UnipolSai.
The team coached by Dusko Ivanovic sits 9-10 at the midway point of the EuroLeague Regular Season, two games away from the Play-In Showdown zone, and three games away from the top six seeds, which lead directly to the Playoffs 2026. Entering a double-game week, Zalgiris visits Virtus Arena in Round 20 on Tuesday, before a Round 21 fixture opposite Panathinaikos Aktor in Telekom Center Athens on Thursday.
Domestically, an 11-3 record is tied with Germani Brescia in first place, heading to Round 15 and a meeting with Umana Reyer Venice in Palasport Taliercio next Sunday.