Insigne initially chose the shirt number 42 at Napoli, as his older brother and Napoli teammate Lorenzo wore the number 24,[2] but later chose the number 30, and finally the number 94, as it represented the year of his birth.[3] After playing for the Napoli Primavera side in the club's youth system,[4][5][6] he made his professional debut for the club's senior side under manager Walter Mazzarri in the Europa League on 6 December 2012, in a 2–0 home defeat against PSV Eindhoven;[6][7] his first appearance in Serie A came on 13 January 2013, as he appeared as a very late substitute in a 3–0 home win against Palermo, playing alongside his older brother.[1][6]
On 22 July 2013 he was sent on loan from Napoli to Perugia, at the request of the club's coach, and former Napoli striker, Cristiano Lucarelli.[8]
In August 2014, he was sent on loan from Napoli to Reggina.[9]
On 15 July 2015, both Insigne and his young Napoli attacking teammate Gennaro Tutino were sent on loan to Avellino with an option to buy.[10]
On 23 July 2017, it was announced that Insigne would be loaned to newly promoted Serie B side Parma for the 2017–18 season.[13]
Benevento
On 21 July 2018, Insigne joined with Serie B side Benevento on loan until 30 June 2019.[14] On 23 June 2019, Insigne signed permanently with Benevento.[15] On 29 June 2020, Insigne helped Benevento secure promotion to the Serie A with seven matches to spare.[16] At the time, Benevento had won 23 of their 31 league games and lost just once, and had a 24-point advantage over nearest rivals Crotone and Cittadella.[16]
On 25 October 2020, Insigne scored in Benenvento's clash with his former club Napoli; Insigne's brother Lorenzo was also on the scoresheet as Napoli won 2–1.[17] It was Insigne's first goal ever in the top division of Italian football. It was also only the second time in Serie A history that two brothers have scored against each other in a game; Hungarian pair István and Ferenc Nyers did the same back in 1949, while playing for Inter Milan and Lazio respectively.[17]
Frosinone
On 27 August 2022, Insigne signed a two-year contract with Frosinone.[18]
Palermo
On 12 July 2023, Insigne signed for Serie B club Palermo on a three-year deal.[19]
International career
At international level, Insigne has represented the Italy U-18, U-19, and U-21 sides.[20]
Style of play
Regarded as a talented and promising prospect, Insigne is a diminutive, quick, creative, and skilful left footed forward, with good technique, an eye for goal, and a small, slender physical build, who is capable of playing anywhere along the front line. Due to his ability to both set up and score goals, he usually plays in a free role as a second striker, which allows him to operate on either flank or in the centre of the attacking third, although he frequently also plays as a right winger, a position which allows him to cut into the centre and curl shots on goal with his stronger left foot. He has also been deployed as an attacking midfielder, or as a main striker on occasion.[4][6][21][22][23][24][25]
Roberto is the younger brother of footballer Lorenzo Insigne, who plays for Toronto FC.[27] His oldest and youngest brothers, Antonio and Marco, also play football, in the Italian amateur divisions.[28] Roberto Insigne is married to Elisabetta; their daughter, Patrizia, was born on 22 November 2016.[29]
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