Trento, 26 June 2025

Another homegrown talent joins the first team: the middle blocker Leonardo Sandu

For over fifteen years now, at the end of every transfer window, Trentino Volley has promoted at least one new product from its thriving Youth Sector to the men’s first team. This tradition will continue in the summer of 2025: this year, it will be renewed by middle blocker Leonardo Gabriel Sandu, who, after completing his development in the Trentino youth ranks and playing two Serie B championships with the UniTrento Volley project, will officially join the Itas Trentino SuperLega roster starting in October.
For the young number 3, born in Tarquinia but of Romanian descent, who will turn eighteen in September, this is a promotion earned on the court. Over the past season, in addition to being a key player for the Junior team—which finished seventh in the standings, thanks in part to his 249 points scored (including 76 blocks) in 26 matches—Leonardo has already had the chance to showcase his great potential, often training with the first team and even making the bench on a couple of official occasions. He is a physical middle blocker, combining excellent jumping ability with solid attacking technique and impressive blocking reach. Under the guidance of Marcelo Mendez and alongside top players in his position like Flavio and Bartha, he will have the opportunity to learn and grow significantly.
“Bringing one of our young players into the first team every summer is a great satisfaction for the club, which has invested so much in its youth sector for over two decades,” said Youth Sector Manager Riccardo Michieletto. “We are happy to offer this opportunity to Sandu today, just as we did in the past with Lanza, Giannelli, Nelli, Bristot, and Pellacani, to name a few. All of them managed to make a significant leap in quality, especially in terms of mentality, to keep up with the pace and level of the SuperLega. We hope Leonardo can do the same, because technically and physically he already has what it takes to handle the transition.”
“This is the realization of a dream that began a few years ago, when I arrived in Trento as a very young player,” said Leonardo Sandu. “There are many more dreams to achieve, but this was one of the most important. Wearing the jersey with the Scudetto on the chest next season will be fantastic, even symbolically. I know I have a lot to improve on, in every aspect, but I can’t wait to get started. I want to thank my teammates from these first seasons in yellow and blue, but above all coach Francesco Conci and the club’s management. They all gave me the chance to start believing in this dream and allowed me to live every day thinking about volleyball.”
Sandu will be the thirtieth player to move from the Youth Sector to the Trentino Volley first team in the club’s twenty-five-year history. He will wear the number 17 jersey.

Profile
LEONARDO GABRIEL SANDU
Born in Tarquinia (Viterbo), September 14, 2007
Height: 200 cm, Position: Middle Blocker
2020/21 Etruria Volley Youth
2021/22 Etruria Volley Youth
2022/23 Itas Trentino C
2023/24 UniTrento Volley B
2024/25 UniTrento Volley B
2025/26 Itas Trentino SuperLega

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