The Scottish renaissance in Serie A: Scott McTominay, Che Adams and Billy Gilmour revelling in Italian jobs
Serie A has been a land of attraction for players from all around the world.
It is one of the biggest leagues in the world, and home to some of the most renowned clubs.
In this article, Sports News Blitz writer Xhulio Zeneli explores the rise of Scottish footballers in Italy and how they’ve reignited a long-dormant connection between Scottish football and Serie A.
A long-standing connection
The Scots from the past had a close relationship with the Serie A.
Players like Denis Law at Torino in the 1960s, Joe Jordan at Milan in the 1980s, and Graeme Souness at Sampdoria left an important mark in Italy with their performances.
For many years, however, there were no Scottish players in Serie A.
That drought has recently ended, and in the past few years, we have witnessed a Scottish renaissance in the league.
From Graeme Souness in the mid-80s until 2018, there was a great drought with no Scottish players going to play in Italy.
Liam Henderson ends the drought
The great drought was ended by Liam Henderson, the strong central midfielder who was brought to Italy by Bari in January 2018 and made his debut in Serie A with Hellas Verona.
He became the first Scot to play in Serie A since Souness.
Henderson has played for different teams in Italy, and in the 2024/25 season, he was an important member of Empoli in Serie A.
His move paved the way for other Scots. These include Lewis Ferguson at Bologna, Hickey formerly at Bologna, Doig at Hellas Verona, and now Sassuolo and more recently Che Adams at Torino, Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay at Napoli.
READ MORE: Soccer news: England manager Thomas Tuchel claims 'huge' advantage for two Premier League clubs
The rise of McTominay and Gilmour
McTominay played a crucial role under Antonio Conte at Napoli and was a key figure at Napoli in their title-winning campaign in Serie A last season.
Many questioned his acquisition from Manchester United last season. However, he showed his qualities during the season and is now one of the preferred players of the fans.
He was even named the best player of the Serie A last season.
Another Scottish player who came with the former Red Devil last summer at Napoli was Gilmour.
The midfielder wasn’t a regular starter under Antonio Conte’s formation, but he consistently delivered solid performances when called upon.
Ferguson’s Bologna legacy
Lewis Ferguson is another Scottish player who has graced the Italian league.
Since his transfer to Italy from Aberdeen in 2022, he has become a central figure at Bologna.
Ferguson has helped his team achieve history by qualifying for the UEFA Champions League in 2024 and winning the Italian Cup in 2025 - Bologna’s first trophy in 51 years.
He is now captain of the team and has attracted interest from some of the best teams in Italy.
Ferguson isn’t the only Scot that has shone at Bologna in recent years. Full-back Aaron Hickey was one to watch between 2020 and 2022.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Club World Cup news: Complete fixture list including teams, venues and kick-off times
Other Scots flying the flag
Lastly, there are other Scots currently making their mark in Serie A, including Josh Doig and Che Adams.
Doig made the move to Italy in 2022 with Hellas Verona and is now playing for Sassuolo.
Adams, meanwhile, leads the line for Torino - one of Italy’s most historic clubs - and has become a key figure for the Granata.
A new era for Scottish football
Scottish players have found themselves in Serie A and have emerged and regenerated their careers through their performances in the Italian league.
This new wave of Scottish talent has proven that Scots can excel in more than just the physical side of the game.
Their success has not only helped the players individually but has also had a positive impact on the Scottish national team - and it’s likely to have an even bigger impact in the future.
Players coming from Italy have shown greater tactical maturity, technical discipline, and mental resilience.
Italian clubs are now targeting undervalued markets like Scotland, where players bring discipline, adaptability, and affordability.
The connection between Serie A and Scottish football appears to be growing stronger, and we can expect to see even more Scots making the move to Italy soon.
READ NEXT: A new era awaits: The 2026 F1 season calendar is here
