Bologna closing in on final decision on free agent Darmian
SASSUOLO, ITALY - FEBRUARY 08: Matteo Darmian of FC Internazionale celebrates during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and FC Internazionale at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on February 08, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Reports in Italy claim that Bologna will formally announce their signing of Matteo Darmian by the end of the week, with the former Inter and Torino defender set to sign a one-year contract with an option to extend after spending the last week in training with the Rossoblu.
Bologna set to sign Darmian on free transfer
Darmian has been available as a free agent after leaving Inter at the end of his contract on June 30. He won nine trophies during his time in San Siro, three apiece in Serie A, the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana, and also reached the Champions League final in both 2023 and 2025.
Darmian had several offers over the course of the summer, and there had also been suggestions that a backroom role with Inter was also on offer for the 36-year-old, who ultimately decided to take his time to weigh up his next steps.
He began training with Bologna at the beginning of October following a serious injury to Rossoblu right-back Emil Holm while away on international duty with Sweden. Holm has had surgery and is expected to miss around four to six months of action.
Bologna staff have been assessing Darmian’s fitness and match sharpness over the course of the last week, and according to Wednesday’s reports from Gianluca Di Marzio, they will finalise the veteran’s contract on Thursday.
According to reports elsewhere, Darmian will sign an initial contract until the end of the 2026-27 season with an option to extend for an additional 12 months.
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