Mirko Valdifiori

Mirko Valdifiori (born 21 April 1986) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Napoli and the Italian national team.

He is the sixth most capped player to play for Empoli.

Club career

Cesena

Born in Russi, Romagna, Valdifiori started his professional career at Romagnol club Cesena. His debut for Cesena came on 14 May 2005, in a 3-3 away from home draw with Genoa in 2004–05 Serie B. He made one further appearance that season, in the last round. The following season, the 2005-06 season, the youngster made just one appearance off the bench. To find more regular playing time, the player went out on loan to Pavia for the 2006-07 season where he made 24 Serie C1 appearances that season. The following season he went out on loan once more, this time to Legnano, who were then in Serie C1 and made 17 appearances for the side that season. In 2007–08 Serie B season also saw the relegation of Cesena to Lega Pro Prima Divisione (ex–Serie C1).

Empoli

In June 2008, Cesena sold Valdifiori to Serie B team Empoli in a co-ownership deal for €520,000. The defensive midfielder immediately became an important part of the first team at Empoli, playing 32 games in the 2008-09 season, as Empoli achieved a Serie B playoff spot for promotion, but unfortunately lost out to Brescia over two legs. In June 2009 Empoli signed Valdifiori outright for another €800,000.