Michael Kayode’s rise from Juventus discard to Premier League standout reads like a football fairy tale. The Brentford right-back, now 22, has embraced life in England so fully that he describes the competition as “the Disneyland of world football.” His 35 appearances this season — more than any other Italian in the division — underscore a remarkable turnaround after a youth rejection in Turin and a bittersweet Fiorentina departure.
Kayode was let go by Juventus at 14, an experience he calls “a real blow.” Yet he insists there are no regrets about his time in the Bianconeri academy. “They saw something in me, and I enjoyed every year at Vinovo. Being sent away was a blow, but I always got back up.” That resilience carried him through a stint in Serie D with Gozzano, where at just 16 he learned the mental side of the game, before joining Fiorentina’s youth ranks and eventually debuting in Serie A under Vincenzo Italiano.
The move to Brentford about 18 months ago raised eyebrows, but it has proven inspired. Kayode has thrived in a system that prizes verticality and one-on-one duels — elements he relishes. “I love duels, and this is definitely the most suitable place for my style of play,” he told Tuttosport. In Italy, he says, “there is much more tactical preparation, with an incredible attention to detail that makes you grow.” But in England, the relentless physicality and breakneck pace have unlocked another dimension to his game.
His 35 league outings eclipse those of better-known compatriots like Gigio Donnarumma, who joined Manchester City late last August, and Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali, a protagonist in a top-four chasing side. Kayode’s consistency has helped Brentford challenge for a European slot with two games remaining. “It’s an honour to be the Italian with the most appearances,” he said, “and I hope we can carry this club into Europe.”
Kayode speaks glowingly of the Premier League’s elite talents, singling out Jérémy Doku for his “incredible technique and speed,” Erling Haaland as a “goal machine,” and Bruno Fernandes for his ball control. Yet his own trajectory is equally compelling: from a teenager scrapping in Italy’s fourth tier to marking some of the world’s finest.
Despite his club form, a senior Italy call-up remains elusive. Kayode is unfazed. “I am young, it happens; only by continuing to work will I realize this dream.” He has options — Nigeria, which he qualifies for — but emphatically states: “I will always give priority to Italy. I grew up with the Azzurri, and there’s no doubt.” He has already met with national team coach Gennaro Gattuso during a Premier League gathering, reinforcing his connection to the cause.
Links with a return to Serie A, particularly to Juventus, refuse to go away. The Bianconeri are reportedly keen on building a youthful Italian core, and Kayode fits the profile. “When someone speaks well of you, it’s always gratifying. But I am totally focused on Brentford and on doing well in the most beautiful league in the world,” he said. His contract situation and the club’s ambitions make a summer exit unlikely.
His bond with Fiorentina remains strong. He credits Vincenzo Italiano — now himself tipped for a Premier League switch — for launching his career. “He never let me feel like I had arrived; he kept me constantly on edge and left a deep mark.” Kayode also stays in touch with former Viola teammates Dodô, Mandragora, Bonaventura, and Biraghi. He will watch Juve-Fiorentina, a match loaded with personal history, with a mix of nostalgia and detachment.
Reflecting on his Fiorentina exit, Kayode admits it stung. “I would have liked to leave in a better way. With Italiano I played a lot; with Palladino things were different, so together with the club we chose a different path. Those months without playing actually helped me take a step further.” It was the catalyst for a Brentford move that has become a perfect fit.
The Brentford environment, he says, feels like a family. “Between the staff and everyone at the training ground, it’s like home. It makes it easy to settle, even with the natural doubts at the start. I feel like I’ve been here for ten years.” That comfort has translated onto the pitch, where Kayode has become a fan favourite for his tireless runs and defensive grit.
Looking forward, Kayode does not rule out a future Italy return but is in no rush. For now, the Disneyland of world football has given him a stage to rebuild a career that could have been derailed. As the Serie A season climaxes and summer transfer talk bubbles, his story offers a blueprint for Italian talents willing to cross borders.
Based on reporting from Tuttosport.
