Gas Sales Bluenergy Volley Piacenza officially announced the signing of one of France's most promising young middle blockers – Daniel IegbekedoThe volleyball player, born in 2007, is 208 cm tall and comes from the federal project France Avenir, considered the French equivalent of Club Italia.
Iegbekedo is part of the golden generation of the French national team, which won the European title in Sofia in 2024, as well as the U19 World Championship in the summer, where he was also awarded as the best middle blocker of the tournament. Also from the same national team squad is Noah Duflo-Rossi, teammate of Alex Nikolov at Cucine Lube Civitanova.
The young Frenchman will wear jersey number 21 and will remain with Piacenza until the end of the season2025/26. The agreement was reached in the last hours with mutual satisfaction between both parties, with the main goal being to strengthen the middle blocker position at an extremely difficult time for the Italian club.
The context in Piacenza
Head coachDante Boninfante is facing serious personnel problems at the net's center. The CubanRobertlandy Simonis out of play after surgery on his right foot, andGianluca Galassiis recovering after surgical intervention due to a testicular tumor, and there is still no clarity on the timelines for his return.
In this context, the recruitment of Iegbekedo is a logical and strategic move.
A familiar face for the club
The French middle blocker is not unknown to Piacenza. Last December he already underwenta technical internshipat the club, training inPalabancaSportas part of a program by the French Federation, which provides an opportunity for the most talented young athletes to gain experience abroad. We would like to remind you that Antonina Zetova's son - Daniel Tanev - is also in the club's youth formations.
A new challenge
With his joining Gas Sales Bluenergy Volley Piacenza, Daniel Iegbekedo has already started training with the team and is available to the coaching staff. For the French talent, this isthe first real step towards elite club volleyball, and for Piacenza – an investment in the future at a time when the present requires quick and bold decisions.
photos: Nikolay Varadinov andgassalespiacenza.it
