Former Arsenal centre-back Pablo Mari swaps Monza for Fiorentina

Spanish defender Pablo Mari joined Fiorentina on Tuesday from Monza on a contract until June 2027, according to Italian media reports.

"Fiorentina announces that it has definitively acquired the sporting rights of the player Pablo Mari Villar," said the 'Viola' club.

Mari arrived in Florence on Tuesday and after passing the medical he met his new team-mates and coach, the Italian Rafaelle Palladino.

Born in Almusafes (Valencia) on 31st August 1993, during his career he has played for Arsenal, Deportivo La Coruna, Gimnastic de Tarragona, Mallorca and Flamengo, among others, and has won an FA Cup and a Community Shield in England, a Brazilian League and a Copa Libertadores.

In recent seasons with Monza, he has made 87 Serie A appearances and scored one goal. He will wear the number 18 shirt for Fiore and his press conference will take place on Thursday at 13.30 (GMT +1) at the club's sports complex.

"I am very happy to be in Florence for an important project. I'm very much looking forward to wearing the ‘Viola’ shirt,’ were the defender's first words after signing for his new club.

The 31-year-old centre-back arrived at Monza in the summer of 2022 and was one of the leaders of the team that achieved permanence well ahead of their historic first ever Serie A championships.

"Thanks to Pablo for honouring our colours and for all the emotions we experienced together," said Monza.

In 2022, already as a Monza player, Mari was stabbed in the back in a shopping centre in Milan, where an Italian man with mental problems attacked up to 6 people and killed one of them. The Spanish footballer, who had to undergo surgery, was sidelined from October of that year until January 2023.

Monza will replace Mari with the Argentinian Tomas Palacios, a centre-back from Inter Milan who will arrive on loan until the end of the season.

 

January 28, 2025