# Salvatore Elia

Salvatore Elia (born 30 June 1999) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Serie B club Spezia.

## Club career
### Atalanta

Born in Prato, Elia grew up playing in the youth teams of Atalanta.

#### Loan to Juve Stabia

On 31 July 2018. Elia was signed by Serie C club Juve Stabia on a season-long loan deal. On 16 September he made his professional debut, in Serie C, as a substitute replacing Luigi Canotto in the 72nd minute of a 3–0 away win over Siracusa. On 20 November he played his first entire match for the team, a 4–0 home win over Viterbese Castrense. Two weeks later, on 2 December, Elia scored his first professional goal in the 85th minute of a 2–0 home win over Bisceglie. On 14 April 2019, he scored his second goal in the 71st minute of a 3–2 away win over Sicula Leonzio. Elia then scored his third goal in the 78th minute in a 2–2 home draw against Virtus Entella in the Supercoppa di Serie C on 18 May. He helped Juve Stabia win promotion to Serie B, with the club finishing as champions, and ended his loan spell with 32 appearances, 3 goals and 6 assists.
On 11 July 2019, his loan was extended for another season. One month later, on 11 August, Elia played his first match of the season, a 3–2 defeat on penalties after a 1–1 home draw against Imolese in the second round of the Coppa Italia. On 25 August he made his Serie B debut for Juve Stabia as a substitute replacing Giacomo Calò in the 82nd minute of a 2–1 away defeat against Empoli. One week later, on 1 September Elia played his first match as a starter, a 2–0 home defeat against Pisa, he was replaced after 68 minutes by Massimiliano Carlini. Two weeks later he played his first entire match for the club in Serie B, a 0–0 away draw against Perugia. On 20 June 2019, he scored his first goal in Serie B, as a substitute, in the 87th minute of a 3–1 away defeat against Pescara. Elia ended his second season at Juve Stabia with 21 appearances, 1 goal and 1 assist, however the club was relegated to Serie C.

#### Loan to Perugia

On 25 September 2020, he joined Serie C club Perugia on a season-long loan deal. Two days later, on 27 September, he made his debut for the club as a substitute replacing Vlad Dragomir in the 77th minute of a 2–2 home draw against Alma Juventus Fano. On 18 October he played his first entire match for the club, a 2–0 home win over Fermana. On 6 December he scored his first goal for the club in the 29th minute of a 2–0 home win over Imolese. On 17 February 2021, Elia scored twice in a 4–0 home win over Legnago Salus. Elia ended his season-long loan to Perugia with 40 appearances, 30 of them as a starter, 9 goals and 4 assists, he also helped the club to win the championship and to gain the promotion in Serie B after only one season in Serie C.

### Loan to Benevento

On 20 July 2021, Elia joined Serie B club Benevento on a season-long loan.

### Loan to Palermo

On 28 July 2022, Elia agreed upon a one-year loan to Serie B club Palermo.

### Spezia

On 1 September 2023, Elia signed a three-year contract with Spezia.

## Personal life

He is the son of former professional footballer Firmino Elia.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of 18 July 2021
| Club | Season | League | League | League | Cup | Cup | Europe | Europe | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Juve Stabia (loan) | 2018–19 | Serie C | 30 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 1 | 32 | 3 |
| Juve Stabia (loan) | 2019–20 | Serie B | 20 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 21 | 1 |
| Perugia (loan) | 2020–21 | Serie C | 36 | 8 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 1 | 40 | 9 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 86 | 11 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 4 | 1 | 93 | 13 |
* 1 2 All appearances in Supercoppa di Serie C

## Honours
### Club

Juve Stabia
* Serie C (Group C): 2018–19
Perugia
* Serie C (Group B): 2020–21