Udinese sign Algerian-French defender Yanis Sofikitis for Primavera 2 campaign

Algerian-French centre-back Yanis Sofikitis has joined Udinese U19, giving the Italian club a new defensive addition for their Primavera 2 campaign. The 19-year-old arrives after a period without a club and will continue his development in Italy’s Primavera 2 – A competition.

Sofikitis is a right-footed centre-back who stands 1.89m tall. His arrival adds a physically imposing defender to Udinese’s youth set-up, with the move taking him into a different football environment after spending his formative years in the French academy system.

The defender’s most recent club was Nizza U19, whom he left on 1 July 2026. He had moved into the Under-19 side after previously playing for OGC Nice U17, having joined the club from Istres Jugend in 2022.

Sofikitis’ recorded youth career includes 41 appearances in National U19 – Group D, totalling 3,482 minutes. He also played five matches in the Coupe Gambardella and scored once in the competition.

His profile combines experience across French youth football with a move into the Italian game at an important stage of his career. Udinese’s Primavera side provides the setting for him to continue playing regularly while adapting to the demands of a new league and club structure.

The transfer also gives Sofikitis a new base after his departure from Nizza U19 earlier in the summer. He has nationalities listed as Algeria and France and was born in Martigues on 3 February 2007.

Sofikitis completed his move to Udinese U19 on 18 September 2026.