Roberto Insigne and Jacopo Dezi join reborn Parma on loan

Two Napoli-owned players are headed to Serie B for the season and will be taking part in a very interesting story, with Roberto Insigne and Jacopo Dezi both heading to a reborn Parma side on loan for the season.

Parma were bankrupt and dissolved just two years ago after more than a year of serious financial issues, including players and staff not getting paid their wages for months. They re-formed under new ownership in the semi-professional divisions of Italian football and after winning promotion in two straight seasons, they’re back in Serie B.

It’s a familiar story for Napoli, who suffered through similar troubles in the early 2000’s before becoming the club they are today. Perhaps it was that familiarity that lead them to want to support Parma now that they’re on their way back up, perhaps it was just a good fit for the players, perhaps it was something else entirely, but now they have at least some form of link to Parma’s resurrection story, especially if one or both of Insigne or Dezi help Parma get back to Serie A for next season.

Dezi’s deal looks like it will eventually be more permanent, structured as a loan with an obligation to buy at the end of the season if certain conditions are met. That’s not surprising, as it’s been clear for a couple of years now that Dezi isn’t in Napoli’s long-term plans. Insigne, however, is, and his loan is a purely developmental one with no purchase option available, as Napoli hope that he capitalizes on a solid half-season at Calcio Latina last season and takes a big step forward this campaign.

Best of luck to both players, and best of luck to Parma. Everyone involved deserves a happy outcome to this season.