Michael Kayode’s former coach Antonio Soda admits he immediately noticed that the Italian defender was ‘a class apart’ even at 16, but he can understand why Fiorentina sold him to Brentford in 2025.

Kayode is a former Juventus academy player and an ex-Fiorentina defender who joined Premier League side Brentford in January 2025.

Just a few years ago, at 16, Juventus decided not to retain Kayode in their youth sector, so the Borgomanero-born defender joined Gozzano in Serie D, Italy’s fourth division.

At the time, Antonio Soda coached the Piedmont-based club.

“The club was very attentive to its youth sector. They introduced me to Michael. It only took a few minutes of watching him to say: ‘Where did this kid come from? He’s a class apart.’ And I played him almost immediately,” Soda told Gazzetta.

Kayode thanked Soda during a press conference attended by Football Italia at Coverciano last week.

“I must admit his words moved me. Not everyone remembers my work,” Soda said.

“In truth, though, I only did what was right: not stifle his talent and launch him. It was worth it.”