During a blockbuster Thursday that saw 19-year-old midfielder Gianluca Busio transfer to Venezia FC in a club-record deal, Sporting Kansas City also signed a midfield replacement by welcoming 25-year-old Jose Mauri. Here are 10 things to know about Sporting's newest player.
1. Experience Aplenty
Mauri boasts six seasons of top-flight experience in the Italian Serie A, where he competed for Parma, Empoli and European giants AC Milan from 2013-2019. He arrives in Kansas City after a two-year stint with Argentine Primera Division club Talleres de Cordoba.
2. Prepped at Parma
As a youth, Mauri moved from his native Argentina to Italy in 2012 to join Parma’s ranks and earned his senior team debut for the club in the 2013-14 Coppa Italia at age 17. He made his first Serie A appearance a few weeks later in January 2014, contributing to a 1-0 win against Udinese.
3. Teenage Sensation
Mauri enjoyed a fantastic breakthrough season in 2014-15 by starting 29 of 33 Serie A matches for Parma and scoring twice, including the lone goal in a 1-0 upset win over Italian juggernaut Juventus on April 11, 2015. His 2,549 minutes played during the 2014-15 campaign were the most among Serie A teenagers.
4. Jump to Milan
Mauri’s standout performances with Parma prompted AC Milan to sign the player ahead of the 2015-16 season. The midfielder logged 10 competitive appearances in his first season with the storied club, including five games and two starts in Milan’s run to the 2016 Coppa Italia Final. Mauri featured as a substitute in the match as Milan fell 1-0 in extra time to Juventus.
5. Loaned and Returned
The 2016-17 campaign saw Mauri join Empoli on loan, where he played 14 additional Serie A matches. He returned to Milan shortly after his 21st birthday and spent each of the next two seasons with the Rossoneri, notably helping his team to wins in each of his five UEFA Europa League appearances.
6. Back to Argentina
Following his spell at Milan, Mauri joined Argentine first division side Talleres in September 2019. He started 10 of 13 appearances in all competitions during his first season with the club and most recently started three of four top-flight Primera Division matches for Talleres from April to May.
7. Italian Youth International
Born and raised in Realico, Argentina, Mauri is of Italian descent and represented Italy at the U-16, U-17 and U-21 youth international levels. He featured in 2013 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifying and was later selected to Italy’s squad for 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying.
8. High Pedigree
During his time with AC Milan and the Italian youth national teams, Mauri has played with the likes of Gianluigi Donnarumma, Mario Balotelli, Leonardo Bonucci, Keisuke Honda
9. Runs in the Family
Mauri’s older brother, Juan Mauri, has made over 150 professional appearances in Argentina and Italy since 2009.
10. On Social Media
Sporting fans can give Mauri a warm welcome on social media by following him on Twitter at @maurijose5 and on Instagram at @josemauri5.
