Akinsanmiro targets Monza success

File: Ebenezer Akinsanmiro.

After loan spells at Sampdoria and Pisa gave him valuable first-team experience in Italy, Nigerian midfielder Ebenezer Akinsanmiro says he joined Monza determined to turn those lessons into success with a club whose ambition convinced him to make another loan move, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Akinsanmiro joined Inter Milan from Remo Stars in January 2023 and initially featured for the club’s U-19 side for a season and a half, scoring six goals in 37 appearances.

In the 2023/24 season, he was promoted to the first team and made one Serie A appearance, while also being part of Inter’s squad that won the Coppa Italia.

A year later, he joined Sampdoria on loan in Serie B to gain first-team experience, scoring one goal and providing one assist in 35 appearances.

He returned to the top flight in the 2025/26 season with Pisa, making 24 Serie A appearances before moving to Monza on another loan spell this term.

The 20-year-old has quickly established himself at Monza, providing one assist in three league appearances so far, and says the club’s ambition played a key role in his decision to join.

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“To be honest, from the first day I was welcomed by the people around me at Monza, and I could see the ambition of the club as well. I want to improve and be part of the team’s success,” he told SportyTV.

Monza are currently 18th in the Serie A after just one draw in the league but are through to the next round of the Coppa Italia.

Akinsanmiro also reflected on the impact of his previous loan spells, particularly his season at Sampdoria, where he gained his first extended taste of senior football.

“Playing for Pisa and Sampdoria is also a big part of it. Sampdoria gave me that first-team experience for an entire season. It was a difficult season, but I learnt a lot from the two teams.

“They changed me mentally and showed me how important it is to win matches.”

His sojourn in Italy has also earned him a national team call-up under coach Eric Chelle, as he was part of the Super Eagles squad to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where Nigeria finished third.