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Serie A is known to be home to some of the most loyal players of all time. Italy's top flight has been graced by the likes of Paolo Maldini and Francesco Totti, who stayed with their respective clubs throughout their illustrious careers.
These players have been lauded for their loyalty to a single club, and have gone down as legends of the sport. In this day and age, though, it is difficult to find players who stays with one club for their entire career, but this has been a fairly common occurrence in the Serie A.
There are many long-serving Serie A players at a single club at the moment. Of course, the duration of loan stints at other clubs is deducted from the player's total duration at his parent club. On that note, here's a look at the top five:
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#5 Andrea Ranocchia (Inter Milan) - Since December 2010
Despite joining Inter Milan back in 2010, Andrea Ranocchia has been sent out on a bunch of loan spells, which sees him lower on this list. The Italian was once touted as a generational talent, and was seen as Italy's next great defender.
Inter Milan snapped up Ranocchia at the age of 21, and the defender blossomed into a fine centre-back at the time. Tall, strong and tactically astute, Ranocchia had all the qualities to become a world-class defender. But it was not to be, as injuries and loss of form saw the Italian fall down the pecking order at the club, and he was subsequently sent out on loans.
Ranocchia, who has spent spells on loan at Genoa, Sampdoria and Hull City, has seen minimal playing time at Inter Milan in recent years.
The Italian did not make a single appearance for the club during the 2020-21 season, when they won the Serie A title, but is now a key veteran presence in the locker room.
#4 Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli) - Since January 2010
Napoli captain Lorenzo Insigne started in the club's youth academy and has gone on to become one of the best players in the game now. The winger had a few loan spells early on in his career, but has starred for both club and country over the years, winning two Coppa Italias and the 2020 European Championship.
The Italian largely operates on the left wing, but his versatility allows him to play up front or behind the main striker as well. Insigne's speed, dribbling and shooting ability has made him a menace in the Serie A for over a decade, and at only 30, he still has a few years at the top.
Insigne has shown great loyalty to Napoli over the years, despite multiple clubs being interested in him. So he is sure to go down as one of the Serie A club's biggest legends.
#3 Samir Handanovic (Inter Milan) - Since July 2012
Samir Handanovic was brought by Inter Milan to become the successor to Brazilian legend Julio Cesar. The goalkeeper has since become one of the best shot-stoppers of all time in the Serie A.
Handanovic's commanding presence in the area, as well as his reflexes and acrobatic ability, helped Inter Milan win the Scudetto last season. He has also been named the Serie A goalkeeper of the year two times during his stint with Inter.
Samir Handanovic is the most capped Serie A player currently playing in the league.
He has made 517 appearances in total in the competition, with 331 of them coming for Inter Milan.
#2 Stefan Radu (Lazio) - Since January 2008
Stefan Radu has been a great servant of Lazio, and is the club's all-time appearance record holder with 412.
The Romanian joined Lazio on loan back in January 2008 before the club decided to make it permanent the next season due to his great performances. Now 34, Radu is reaching the end of his career at the club, but still managed 31 league appearances for Lazio last season.
Radu started off as a left-back, but with age and loss of pace, he has transitioned into a fine centre-back over the last few years. The Romanian is yet to make an appearance for Lazio this season, but is likely to put in a good performance when called upon.
#1 Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus) - Since August 2005
Despite joining Juventus in 2004, Giorgio Chiellini only made his debut for the club a year later. The Italian became a starter in the infamous Fabio Capello team that won the Scudetto that season, which was later awarded to Inter Milan following the Calciopoli scandal.
But since then, Chiellini has stuck with the club and become a legend for both Juventus and Italy. Considered one of the greatest centre-backs of the century, the Italian has won multiple individual and team accolades over the years.
Chiellini is known for his physical and aggressive style of play, as well as his leadership abilities at the heart of defence. The Italian captained his country to the 2020 European Championship, and will go down as one of the best Italian players of all time.
