Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza is about to bring back one of its greatest talents – Manuel Zlatanov. Publications in Italy hint at this, with the most specific beingsportpiacenza.it.While the team is fighting for a place in the semifinals in the battle for the Scudetto against Modena, the management is already thinking strategically about the future, and one of the key figures in this project seems to be the young outside hitter.
Zlatanov is not just another name in Italian volleyball. He carries a heavy legacy – he is the son of Hristo Zlatanov, a long-time Italian national team player and current general director of Piacenza, but also the grandson of Bulgarian volleyball legend Dimitar Zlatanov – one of the greatest names in the history of this sport in our country.
After making an impressive debut in the SuperLega at just 15 years and 8 months old – a record for the youngest player in history – Manuel embarked on a path of development in Ravenna. It was there over the past two seasons that he grew significantly, sharing the locker room this current campaign with two Bulgarian national team players – Hristiyan Dimitrov and Samuil Valchinov. This environment undoubtedly contributed both to his on-court development and to his connection with the Bulgarian volleyball school.
With his performance in Serie A2, Zlatanov has already moved out of the “prospective” category and established himself as a real factor – among the leading scorers, stable on serve, and reliable in reception. A versatile player who possesses all the components to succeed at the highest level. So far this season with the Consar team, in 24 matches played, he has scored 366 points, 30 aces, and 38 successful blocks, with an average attack efficiency of 46.3% and 22.4% perfect reception.
But perhaps even more impressive are his achievements with the Italian national team in the youth categories. In 2024 in Sofia, he was one of the leading figures at the U18 European Championship, where Italy reached the final against France and won silver medals.
Just a few months later, again in the Bulgarian capital, Zlatanov took the next step – he became a world champion at the first-ever U17 World Championship and won the MVP award, solidifying his status as one of the most promising players of his generation.
Expectations are now for Piacenza to offer him a three-year contract – a move that clearly shows the club sees him as an investment in the future. In competition with already established names like Mandiradzhi and Gutierrez, Manuel will have the opportunity to develop without undue pressure, under the guidance of Dante Boninfante – a specialist who has proven his ability to develop young players.
If the deal is finalized, this will not just be a transfer. This will be a return – both to a club and to a volleyball tradition that connects generations from Dimitar Zlatanov to the present day.
photos: legavolley.it and Nikolay Varadinov
