Romanian U21 international and attacking midfielder Rareș Ilie, 22, will continue playing in Italy’s Serie B next season after signing a loan deal with Empoli, the club recently relegated from Serie A. Previously on loan at Catanzaro in the same league, Ilie moves from French Ligue 1 side Nice, who purchased him in 2022 for €4 million but have sent him on multiple loans. The agreement, confirmed by Fabrizio Romano, includes an option for Empoli to make the transfer permanent. Ilie made 15 appearances with Catanzaro, providing three assists but has not scored since February 2024. This move offers him a fresh platform to reestablish himself in Italy’s competitive second division and potentially help Empoli’s push for promotion back to Serie A[1][2][3].
