Gianluca Busio signs contract extension with Venezia

Gianluca Busio has been a productive player for Italian club Venezia and the former MLS homegrown extended his stay for an additional season.

Busio signed a one-year extension with the Serie A side through June 2026, the club announced Saturday. The 22-year-old has yet to play for the newly promoted side this season due to an ankle injury.

“I am really happy about this contract renewal,” Busio said in a club interview. “There have been ups and downs, but I am proud to be able to wear the VFC jersey for even longer. The ownership and Director Antonelli over these years have really done a great job and I thank them so much for this opportunity.

“This is a special moment for me, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but here in Venice. When I arrived the club was in Serie A, unfortunately that year it didn’t go well for us but now we are back and our goal is to play in this category for a long time, because Venezia FC deserves the top division.”

Busio originally made the move to Venezia in August 2021 for a reported $6.5 million transfer fee. The Sporting KC homegrown midfielder has since totaled eight goals and seven assists in 99 combined appearances for Venezia.

Alongside fellow U.S. men’s national team teammate Tanner Tessmann, Busio helped Venezia win the Serie B promotion playoffs last May. Tessmann has since moved on to Ligue 1 club Lyon, but Busio remains an integral part of Eusebio Di Francesco’s squad.

Busio featured for the USMNT Olympic squad this summer in Paris, France.

Venezia, who has yet to win in league play this summer, resumes Serie A play on September 14 vs. AC Milan.