Marco Palestra has been named Serie A’s fastest player of the 2025/26 season, claiming the Frecciarossa Speed Award after recording the highest average sprint speed in the division throughout the campaign.
The Atalanta wing-back, who spent the season on loan at Cagliari, clocked an average sprint speed of 27.96 km/h, narrowly ahead of Manchester United loanee Rasmus Hojlund of Napoli at 27.92 km/h and Fiorentina’s Dodo at 27.77 km/h.
NAPLES, ITALY – APRIL 18: Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli battles for possession with Mario Gila of SS Lazio during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and SS Lazio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on April 18, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Palestra pips Hojlund speed crown ahead of summer market scramble
The award, presented by Serie A, measures average speed across all sprints above 25 km/h across the entire league season.
Last year’s winner was Jackson Tchatchoua, the Hellas Verona full-back who subsequently joined Wolverhampton last summer.
The recognition adds another accolade to what has been a remarkable season for Palestra, who also claimed the Serie A Best Defender award earlier this week and has established himself as one of the most coveted young players in Italian football ahead of an expected summer move.
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Palestra has been linked heavily with a move to Inter, if he stays in Italy, whilst Premier League sirens are sounding out a move for the youngster.
Hojlund, meanwhile, appears to be edging closer to a permanent stay in Naples, after a strong campaign on loan with the Partenopei from Manchester United.