Cagliari bring in Angola-France forward M’Bala Nzola in Serie A switch

Angola-France centre-forward M’Bala Nzola has joined Cagliari from Fiorentina, completing a move to the Serie A club on 1 September 2026. The 30-year-old has signed a contract that runs until 30 June 2027.

Nzola arrives after a season in which he moved between Fiorentina and Sassuolo. He joined Sassuolo from Fiorentina on loan on 31 January 2026 before returning to Fiorentina at the end of the campaign, with his spell at Sassuolo formally concluding on 30 June.

The move to Cagliari is the latest step in a career that has included a series of spells in Italian football. Nzola first arrived in Italy with Sertanense before moving to Virtus Francavilla in 2016. He subsequently played for Carpi and Trapani, joining Spezia from Trapani in October 2020 on a free transfer.

His time at Spezia led to a move to Fiorentina in August 2023. Fiorentina signed him from Spezia for €12.6m, and he later spent time away from the club on loan. He joined Lens for the 2024-25 season in a deal that included a €2.1m loan fee, returning to Fiorentina at the end of that campaign.

Nzola then moved to Pisa on loan in August 2025, with that arrangement including a €500,000 loan fee. He returned to Fiorentina in January 2026 before joining Sassuolo later the same month. His switch to Cagliari follows that sequence of temporary moves and gives the forward a new Serie A club.

Born in Buco-Zau, Nzola holds Angolan and French nationality. Standing 1.85m tall and favouring his left foot, he plays primarily as a central striker.

Cagliari’s new forward has previously represented clubs including Fiorentina, Sassuolo, Lens, Pisa and Spezia in senior football. His arrival also marks a return to a permanent club setting after consecutive loan spells with Lens, Pisa and Sassuolo.

Nzola is now under contract with Cagliari through the end of June 2027.