Carl Piergianni

Last updated

Carl Piergianni
Carl Piergianni.png
Piergianni playing for Salford City in 2017
Personal information
Full name Carl Liam Piergianni [1]
Date of birth (1992-05-03) 3 May 1992 (age 33) [2]
Place of birth Peterborough, England [2]
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) [2]
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Stevenage
Number 5
Youth career
2007–2009 Peterborough United
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2009–2011 Peterborough United 1 (0)
2009–2010 → Spalding United (loan) 6 (0)
2011 → Altrincham (loan) 21 (0)
2011–2012 Stockport County 44 (4)
2012–2013 Corby Town 28 (6)
2013–2016 Boston United 118 (16)
2017 South Melbourne 9 (0)
2017–2020 Salford City 98 (12)
2020 → Oldham Athletic (loan) 11 (0)
2020–2022 Oldham Athletic 78 (8)
2022– Stevenage 140 (14)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 12:31, 16 September 2025 (UTC)

Carl Liam Piergianni (born 3 May 1992) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for EFL League One club Stevenage.

Contents

Piergianni began his career in the youth academy at Peterborough United, signing professional terms in May 2010 after a work experience loan at Spalding United. He made a single first-team appearance for Peterborough before leaving at the end of the 2010–11 season. He joined Stockport County in August 2011, spending one season there before moving to Corby Town for the 2012–13 season, and then signing for Boston United in May 2013. Across three years at Boston, he made 136 appearances, won consecutive Player of the Year awards, and was named twice in the National League North Team of the Year.

Following a brief spell in Australia with South Melbourne, he returned to England to sign for Salford City in May 2017, helping the club achieve back-to-back promotions into the Football League, scoring in the 2019 National League play-off final. In January 2020, Piergianni joined Oldham Athletic on loan, which was made permanent in August 2020. He captained Oldham for two years before signing for Stevenage in May 2022, where he was appointed club captain. In his first season, Stevenage earned promotion to League One, and Piergianni was named in the EFL League Two Team of the Season.

Early life

Piergianni was born in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, where he attended Stanground College. [3] He is of Italian descent through his father, Franco, who played at youth and reserve level for Peterborough United but did not progress to the professional game. [3] [4] [5] The middle of three brothers, he grew up supporting Chelsea and aspired to model his playing style on John Terry. [5]

Career

Peterborough United

Piergianni was playing in the Peterborough and District Youth League when he was scouted by Peterborough United. [3] He joined the club's youth system in 2007 and was named as their under-18 Player of the Year during his time in the academy. [3] Whilst still playing for the club's under-18 team, Piergianni joined Spalding United on a work experience loan, where he made six first-team appearances in the Northern Premier League Division One South. [6] The defender signed his first professional contract with Peterborough in May 2010, a one-year development agreement. [3]

Piergianni made his Football League debut as a 95th-minute substitute in a 2–1 victory against Rochdale on 10 December 2010. [7] [8] He joined Conference Premier club Altrincham on a work experience loan on 31 December 2010. [9] He made his debut for the club the next day, playing the full match in a 0–0 draw with Wrexham. [10] Piergianni made 21 appearances during the 2010–11 season at Altrincham, leaving upon the conclusion of his loan at the end of the season. [11] He was released by Peterborough in June 2011. [12]

Stockport County

Piergianni signed for Conference Premier club Stockport County on a free transfer on 10 August 2011. [13] He scored his first goals in senior football in a 3–3 draw with Hayes & Yeading on 5 November 2011, scoring twice to give Stockport a 3–1 lead in the match. [14] He made 44 appearances in all competitions during the 2011–12 season, his first full season of regular first-team football, scoring four goals as Stockport finished the season in 16th position in the Conference Premier. [15] [2]

Stockport offered Piergianni a new contract in May 2012, but the two parties were unable to agree terms. [16] Despite this, he played in three matches in the opening month of the 2012–13 season. [17] He left Stockport at the end of August 2012, with Director of Football Jim Gannon stating the club were no longer in a position financially to offer the defender a new contract. [18]

Corby Town

After leaving Stockport, Piergianni joined Conference North club Corby Town on a non-contract basis on 10 October 2012. [2] [19] He debuted for Corby in the club's 5–2 home defeat to Altrincham on 13 October 2012, scoring a consolation goal in the second half of the match. [2] He was made club captain within a month of his arrival and made 30 appearances during the 2012–13 season, scoring seven goals. [2] [20]

Boston United

Piergianni joined fellow Conference North club Boston United on 17 May 2013, becoming the club's third acquisition ahead of the new season. [2] [21] He made his Boston debut in a 4–1 victory against former employers Stockport County at Edgeley Park on 17 August 2013. [2] The defender played 47 times and scored five goals in all competitions during the 2013–14 season. [22] He was voted Boston's Players' Player of the Year at the club's end-of-season awards ceremony, in a season that saw the club finish in sixth place in the Conference North league table. [2] [23] He was also named in the Conference North Team of the Year that season. [24] [25] Piergianni signed a new two-year contract in May 2014. [23]

Boston reached the Conference North play-offs during the 2014–15 season, where they lost to Chorley at the semi-final stage, with Piergianni making 46 appearances in all competitions that season. [26] He was named the club's Player of the Year in May 2015. [23] He scored nine goals from central defence during the 2015–16 season as Boston once again qualified for the play-offs after finishing fifth in the league. [2] [27] They were defeated in the semi-final by North Ferriby United, losing 3–2 on aggregate. [2] At the end of the season, Piergianni was named in the National League North Team of the Year. During his three years at Boston, he made 136 appearances and scored 19 goals. [23]

South Melbourne

Having opted to leave Boston at the end of the season, in order to travel to Australia, [28] Piergianni signed for South Melbourne of the National Premier Leagues, Australia's second division, on 12 January 2017. [28] He made his debut for South Melbourne in the 2017 Community Shield, which they lost 2–1 to Bentleigh Greens. [2] He made 13 appearances for the club, 10 of which were in the league, before leaving during the mid-season transfer window in May 2017. [29]

Salford City

Piergianni returned to England and signed a two-year contract with National League North club Salford City on 19 May 2017. [30] He made his debut in the club's first game of the 2017–18 season, a 2–0 home defeat to Darlington. [2] He made 39 appearances and scored three goals as Salford earned promotion to the National League after finishing the season as National League North champions. [2] [31] He was voted the club's Player of the Year in April 2018 and was also named in the National League North Team of the Year that season. [32] [33]

Piergianni signed a contract extension on 17 December 2018, with the new agreement running until 2021. [34] He played 53 times during the 2018–19 season as Salford earned back-to-back promotions into the Football League after winning the 2019 National League play-off final, a 3–0 victory against AFC Fylde at Wembley Stadium on 11 May 2019. [2] [35] He scored Salford's second goal in the match: a header from a corner kick in the second half. [35] The goal was his 11th of the season from central defence. [36] He was named in the National League Team of the Year for the 2018–19 season. [12] Despite playing regularly during the opening two months of the 2019–20 season in League Two, Piergianni was limited to two substitute appearances over two months following back-to-back defeats in September 2019. [37]

Oldham Athletic

Wanting to play first-team football, Piergianni joined fellow League Two club Oldham Athletic on 6 January 2020, on a loan agreement until the end of the 2019–20 season. [38] Oldham manager Dino Maamria highlighted the centre-back's leadership skills and character when the signing was announced. [39] He made 11 appearances during the loan spell before the League Two regular season was curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. [37] Piergianni signed for Oldham on a permanent basis on 2 August 2020, agreeing a two-year contract. [40] He scored five times in 45 appearances during the 2020–21 season as Oldham finished 18th in League Two. [41] In April 2021, he won the PFA Community Champion award for the 2020–21 season for his work with the Oldham Athletic Community Trust (OACT) throughout the year. [42]

Piergianni was named club captain during the 2021–22 season. [43] He played 48 times during the season, scoring four goals, as Oldham were relegated to the National League. [44] He won the PFA Community Champion award for the second consecutive season in recognition of his continued work with the OACT. [45] With his contract set to expire, Piergianni was released by Oldham at the end of the season. [46]

Stevenage

Piergianni signed for League Two club Stevenage on a free transfer on 23 May 2022. [47] He made his debut in a 2–1 away victory over Tranmere Rovers on 30 July 2022 and scored his first goal in a 1–0 win against Rochdale on 16 August 2022. [48] He made 55 appearances in all competitions during his first season, scoring eight goals from central defence, as Stevenage secured promotion to League One with a second-place finish. [48] [49] At the 2023 EFL Awards, he was named in the League Two Team of the Season, [50] and was also voted Stevenage Player of the Year at the club's end-of-season awards. [51]

He was included in the club's retained list for the 2023–24 season, [52] signing a new contract on 5 June 2023. [53] Piergianni made 50 appearances that season, scoring four goals, while leading the league in aerial duels won (380) and recording the second-highest number of interceptions (68). [54] [55] He was named Stevenage Player of the Year for the second successive season on 30 April 2024. [56] Piergianni agreed an extended contract on 15 June 2024, [55] and went on to make 49 appearances, scoring three goals, during the 2024–25 season. [57] He signed a further contract extension on 15 August 2025, with the duration undisclosed. [58]

Style of play

Deployed as a centre-back, [59] [60] Piergianni has been described as a "commanding defender". [40] [61] His ability to win aerial duels has been described as one of his main strengths, as well as blocking attacking shots and clearing the ball out of defence. [60] An aerial threat from set-pieces, Piergianni has scored the majority of his goals from attacking free kicks and corner kicks. [62] Having been appointed club captain at Corby Town, Oldham and Stevenage, his leadership skills have also been highlighted as a strength. [63]

Career statistics

As of match played 13 September 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeague FA Cup EFL Cup OtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Peterborough United 2009–10 [2] Championship 0000000000
2010–11 [11] League One 1000000010
Total1000000010
Spalding United (loan) 2009–10 [6] NPL Division One South6000—0060
Altrincham (loan) 2010–11 [11] Conference Premier 21000—00210
Stockport County 2011–12 [15] Conference Premier41410—2 [a] 0444
2012–13 [17] Conference Premier3000—0030
Total444100020474
Corby Town 2012–13 [2] Conference North 28610—1 [a] 1307
Boston United 2013–14 [2] [23] Conference North41320—4 [b] 2475
2014–15 [2] [23] Conference North39410—6 [c] 1465
2015–16 [2] [23] National League North 38910—4 [d] 0439
Total11816400014313619
South Melbourne 2017 National Premier Leagues 10000—3 [e] 0130
Salford City 2017–18 [2] National League North39300—00393
2018–19 [48] National League 46930—4 [f] 25311
2019–20 [48] League Two 13010102 [g] 0170
Total981240106210914
Oldham Athletic (loan) 2019–20 [48] League Two110———110
Oldham Athletic 2020–21 [48] League Two38520203 [g] 0455
2021–22 [48] League Two40220303 [g] 1483
Total8974050611148
Stevenage 2022–23 [48] League Two46740203 [g] 1558
2023–24 [54] League One43440102 [g] 0504
2024–25 [57] League One44310103 [g] 0493
2025–26 [64] League One7000000070
Total1401490408116115
Career total5555923010040862267
  1. 1 2 Appearances in FA Trophy
  2. ↑ Three appearances and two goals in FA Trophy; one appearance in Lincolnshire Senior Cup
  3. ↑ Three appearances in FA Trophy; two appearances in 2015 Conference North play-offs; one appearance and one goal in Lincolnshire Senior Cup
  4. ↑ One appearance in FA Trophy; two appearances in 2016 National League North play-offs; one appearance in Lincolnshire Senior Cup
  5. ↑ Two appearances in FFA Cup; one appearance in FV Community Shield
  6. ↑ Two appearances in FA Trophy; two appearances and two goals in 2019 National League play-offs
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Appearances in EFL Trophy

Honours

Salford City

Stevenage

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "Notification of shirt numbers: Salford City" (PDF). English Football League. p. 62. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 "C. Piergianni". Soccerway. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Posh signing: Dream comes true for Piergianni". Peterborough Evening Telegraph. 8 May 2010. Archived from the original on 2 October 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
  4. ↑ "Franco Piergianni". The Posh Supporters Trust. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  5. 1 2 "Carl Piergianni – Virtual Player Visit 2021". YouTube. Oldham Athletic Community Trust. 29 July 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  6. 1 2 "Altrincham news archive – December 2010 – New defender". Altrincham F.C. 31 December 2010. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  7. ↑ "Peterborough 2–1 Rochdale". BBC Sport. 10 December 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
  8. ↑ "Soccerbase – Carl Piergianni". Soccerbase. CenturyComm. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  9. ↑ "Darlington make Liam Hatch deal permanent". BBC Sport. 31 December 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
  10. ↑ "Altrincham 0–0 Wrexham". BBC Sport. 1 January 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
  11. 1 2 3 "Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  12. 1 2 3 Swann, Alan (12 May 2019). "Peterborough man stars at Wembley". Peterborough Today. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  13. ↑ "Carl Piergianni joins Stockport County on a free". BBC Sport. 10 August 2011. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  14. ↑ "Stockport 3–3 Hayes and Yeading". BBC Sport. 5 November 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
  15. 1 2 "Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  16. ↑ Collins, Ben (4 July 2012). "Gannon: New signing will be a Premier star". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  17. 1 2 "Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  18. ↑ Oldham, Steven (23 August 2012). "Carl Piergianni and Cameron Darkwah to leave Stockport County at end of August". Mancunian Matters. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  19. ↑ "Steelmen pick up Piergianni". NonLeagueDaily.com. Archived from the original on 13 November 2012. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  20. ↑ "Football – City thwarted by late strike". Oxford Mail. 19 November 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  21. ↑ Singleton, Craig (17 May 2013). "Piergianni becomes latest signing". Boston United F.C. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  22. ↑ "Boston United – 2013–14 – Carl Piergianni". Boston United F.C. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Boston United – Carl Piergianni". Boston United F.C. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  24. ↑ Lomas, John (8 June 2015). "Conference North Team of the Year". Mansfield and Ashfield Chad. London: Johnston Press. Archived from the original on 4 January 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  25. 1 2 Singleton, Craig (9 June 2015). "United bag notable accolades". Boston United F.C. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  26. ↑ "Boston United – 2014–15 – Carl Piergianni". Boston United F.C. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  27. ↑ "Boston United – 2015–16 – Carl Piergianni". Boston United F.C. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  28. 1 2 Kouroumalis, George (12 January 2017). "South sign tough English Centre Back Piergianni". South Melbourne F.C. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  29. ↑ Kulas, Damir (20 May 2017). "Piergianni departs South for Salford City". CornerFlag. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  30. ↑ "Carl Piergianni Agrees Moor Lane Deal – News – Salford City Football Club". Salford City F.C. Archived from the original on 20 August 2017. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
  31. 1 2 "Salford City – FCHD". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  32. 1 2 3 "Salford City Player of the Year 2017–18". Salford City F.C. 24 April 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  33. 1 2 "Vanarama National League North Team of the Season 2017–18". Salford City F.C. 11 May 2018. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  34. ↑ "Carl Piergianni signs contract extension". Salford City F.C. 17 December 2018. Archived from the original on 6 January 2023. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  35. 1 2 3 Rindl, Josef (11 May 2019). "AFC Fylde 0–3 Salford City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  36. ↑ "Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  37. 1 2 "Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  38. ↑ "Carl Piergianni: Oldham Athletic sign Salford City defender on loan". BBC Sport. 6 January 2020. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  39. 1 2 "Signing: Piergianni joins Latics on loan". Oldham Athletic A.F.C. 6 January 2020. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  40. 1 2 "Signing: Piergianni rejoins Latics permanently". Oldham Athletic A.F.C. 2 August 2020. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  41. ↑ "Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  42. ↑ "Piergianni awarded PFA Community Champion 2020/21". Oldham Athletic A.F.C. 9 April 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  43. ↑ Geldard, Susan (10 May 2022). "Oldham Athletic captain retains PFA Community Champion crown". The Oldham Times. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  44. ↑ "Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  45. ↑ "Piergianni awarded PFA Community Champion 2021/22". Oldham Athletic A.F.C. 9 May 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  46. ↑ "2022 Retained & released list". Oldham Athletic A.F.C. 23 May 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  47. ↑ "Stevenage: Carl Piergianni, Aaron Chapman & Michael Bostwick move to Lamex Stadium". BBC Sport. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  48. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  49. ↑ "League Two – 2022–23 – League Table". Soccerway. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  50. 1 2 "EFL Team of the Season line-ups revealed". English Football League. 23 April 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  51. 1 2 Metcalfe, Neil (30 April 2023). "Carl Piergianni on Stevenage's promotion to League One". The Comet. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  52. ↑ "Stevenage FC retained list 2022/23". Stevenage F.C. 18 May 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  53. ↑ "Carl Piergianni: Stevenage captain signs 'improved' contract with promoted club". BBC Sport. 5 June 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  54. 1 2 "Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  55. 1 2 "Carl Piergianni pens new Stevenage contract". Stevenage F.C. 15 June 2024. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  56. 1 2 "Burns, Reid & Piergianni take home End of Season Awards". Stevenage F.C. 30 April 2024. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  57. 1 2 "Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  58. ↑ "Stevenage captain Piergianni signs new deal". BBC Sport. 15 August 2025. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  59. ↑ "Carl Piergianni signs for Stevenage". Stevenage F.C. 23 May 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  60. 1 2 "Player profile – Carl Piergianni". WhoScored.com. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  61. ↑ "Latics boss Kewell makes three new signings in one day". Oldham Evening Chronicle. 3 August 2020. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  62. ↑ Metcalfe, Neil (6 August 2022). "Incredible finish at the Lamex as Stevenage beat Stockport County". The Comet. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  63. ↑ Geldard, Suzanne (9 April 2021). "Oldham defender Carl Piergianni named PFA Community Champion". The Oldham Times. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  64. ↑ "Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  65. ↑ "Reeves goal secures Stevenage second spot". BBC Sport. 8 May 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  66. ↑ "Erling Haaland: Manchester City forward wins PFA men's Player of the Year award". BBC Sport. 29 August 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
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