About

Empoli Football Club, based in Empoli, Tuscany, compete in Serie A and have built a distinctive identity in Italian football. Founded on 1 January 1920, the club from Empoli, Tuscany have punched above their weight in the top tiers, and collectors can find authenticated signed shirts via Walkouts as well as curated memorabilia tied to the club’s eras.

The modest ground remains a focal point for fans and collectors alike, with home matches staged at the Stadio Carlo Castellani. The venue, the local community and fixtures such as the regional Derby toscano against Fiorentina have produced sought after provenance, match photos and local release runs that matter to provenance statements and display choices.

Empoli have spent most of their history in professional football and their recent honours include promotion-winning seasons; notably the club are listed as 2020-21 Serie B champions, a season that reset the club’s kit narratives and collector interest. The organisation is also tracked by ranking bodies and is ranked 291 by IFFHS, a point of reference for some archivists and sellers.

European competition has been brief but notable, with the side entering continental play on one occasion and exiting in the qualifiers of the 2007-08 UEFA Cup qualification. That single European appearance increased the visibility of certain match-issued shirts and created a small run of qualification-era items that turn up in auctions and private sales.

Collector focus at Empoli covers a few clear areas. Anniversary releases after 1970 are pivotal, most visibly the club’s Centenario styling, and seasons such as 2002-03 and 2014-15 are magnets because they mark survival and a return to higher tiers, respectively. Iconic away runs, cup ties and Coppa Italia upsets have driven interest in specific colourways and short production runs from past suppliers like Asics, Le Coq and Kappa, which form part of the club-specific provenance story.

Fans and retailers alike chase signed retail shirts as much as match-worn pieces, and genuine shop issues, player-issue variants and region-specific releases are frequently documented in lots. The Centenario crest and commemorative runs were sold through limited fan channels and are therefore sought for their low-number runs; collectors often insist on a Centenario 2020 provenance card or a COA to secure value and display integrity. Free worldwide shipping is offered on select items, improving accessibility for international buyers.

When seeking iconic shirts, the white away set of the 2014-15 white away campaign and the staying-up season of 2002-03 are repeatedly cited by collectors for their connection to decisive fixtures and memorable squads. Match references such as the Coppa Italia tie and league survival fixtures from these seasons make these shirts especially desirable, and the Walkouts range highlights numbered retail runs, early player-issue variants and verified photo proof where available.

Collector Highlights

Iconic home kits

  • 2002–03 Blue Serie A survival season
  • 2014–15 Blue Serie A return under Sarri legacy
  • 2021–22 Blue Coppa Italia upsets/solid debut

Iconic away kits

  • 2014–15 White Serie A away set

Anniversary shirts

  • 2020 Centenario 1920–2020 crest

Collector seasons

  • 2002–03 Serie A staying up
  • 2014–15 Serie A consolidation
  • 2020–21 Serie B champions

Honours

Empoli FC’s honours reflect a club adept at rising to the challenge. The headline domestic trophy is the Serie B title earned in the 2020-21 season, a campaign that delivered promotion and underlined their capacity to build competitive squads. Their time in the Italian pyramid has also included resilient top-flight stints, with survival in 2002-03 and consolidation in 2014-15 marking important milestones. On the continental stage, Empoli made a brief appearance in the qualification phase of the 2007-08 UEFA Cup, a notable waypoint for a team drawn from outside a provincial capital yet able to reach Serie A on multiple occasions. While silverware is modest, the consistency of professional status and regular pushes into the top tier show a clear competitive identity. In global benchmarking, the club appears with an IFFHS rank 291, acknowledging their standing among UEFA clubs.

Legends & Leadership

Antonio Di Natale is a legend player for Empoli from the late 1990s, emerging as a creative attacking presence whose performances hinted at the club’s ability to nurture top-level talent.

Francesco Tavano is a recent key player from the mid-2000s, providing a consistent goal threat during campaigns that kept Empoli competitive across league commitments.

Massimo Maccarone is a recent key player from the early 2010s, leading the line with experience and character as the team established itself through demanding top-tier and promotion-chasing seasons.

Maurizio Sarri shaped a distinctive and organised side in the mid-2010s, overseeing a return to Serie A and leaving a tactical imprint that supporters still recognise.

Fabrizio Corsi has been the club’s guiding figure off the pitch, serving as president and owner and providing direction that has supported Empoli’s sustained presence in professional football.

Stadium

The home of Empoli is the Stadio Carlo Castellani, a venue closely tied to the city’s football identity in Tuscany. Known for its intimate feel and strong local following, the ground has welcomed Empoli through seasons in Serie B as well as their forays into Serie A, with matchdays characterised by a close connection between team and supporters. The setting adds extra edge when regional rivals visit, particularly for the Derby toscano against Fiorentina, when colour and noise rise across the stands. As a community hub, the stadium anchors the club’s routine, from league fixtures to cup ties, and provides a recognisable stage for milestone seasons such as promotion pushes and consolidation campaigns. Its role remains central to Empoli’s identity, offering a reliable and familiar home advantage.

Also known as
Stadio Carlo Castellani
Local derby
Derby toscano Fiorentina regional

Authentication & Provenance

  • Verification Lega badges by era
  • Suppliers Asics/Le Coq/Kappa eras
  • Provenance match-issue with name/number fonts

FAQ

Q: What year was Empoli FC founded? A: The club was founded in 1920 and is based in Empoli, Tuscany, Italy.

Q: Which division do Empoli currently play in? A: Empoli compete in Serie B.

Q: Has Empoli featured in European competition? A: Yes, Empoli appeared in the qualification stage of the 2007-08 UEFA Cup.

Q: What is Empoli’s home ground? A: Home matches are played at the Stadio Carlo Castellani in Empoli.

Q: Do you verify signed items, and do you ship internationally? A: Each signed item is supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity. Free worldwide shipping.