Profile
A 25-year-old Belgian forward of Italian descent, born in Charleroi. A true late bloomer who worked his way up from the Belgian third tier. After prolific spells at Thes Sport (37 goals in 62 apps) and Sint-Truiden (26 goals in 47 apps, including 21 goals in 2024–25 to share the Belgian Pro League Golden Boot), he earned a move to RSC Anderlecht in August 2025. In his debut Anderlecht season, he has made 32 appearances with 7 goals and 2 assists. A versatile forward who can play as a centre-forward, second striker, or winger. Good pace (90 in EA FC 26) and jumping ability (86). Has stated he would choose Italy over Belgium if called up by both. Brother Paolino is also a professional footballer.
T3 Status
0/16 T3 metrics validated. All physical, technical micro-assessments, and video-based evaluations are pending scout review. Bertaccini has no documented major injury history and has been remarkably durable (193 apps by age 25). T3 should focus on finishing under pressure, hold-up play with back to goal, aerial duels (25.9% won), pressing intensity, link-up play, and two-footed ability. The 5 yellows and 1 red suggest temperament concerns that need T3 validation. The 2021–2022 highlight reel from Thes Sport provides historical footage for scout assessment.
Empire FGA Verdict
PROXY FGA 6.7 — PROVEN LOWER-LEAGUE GOALSCORER with T3 validation required. Adriano Bertaccini is one of the most compelling late-bloomer stories in Belgian football. His trajectory from the third tier to Pro League co-top scorer in just a few seasons is remarkable. At Anderlecht, he has shown he can contribute at the highest domestic level (7 goals in 32 apps). However, at 25 years old, his ceiling is limited. His aerial duels are poor (25.9%), his duel success is low (29.1%), and he has a red card in 2025–26. He is best suited as a poacher or second striker in a two-striker system where he can focus on finishing rather than build-up play. Not a target man. Validate T3 before recruitment decision.
Bertaccini's debut season at Anderlecht has been solid if unspectacular. His 7 goals from 7.61 xG show he is a reliable finisher who converts at expected rate. His 42% shot accuracy (27/64 shots on target) is decent. However, his duel success is poor — 29.1% overall and 25.9% aerial — which limits his effectiveness as a target man. His 31.5% dribble success is also below elite standards. He has created 15 chances and 2 big chances, showing some link-up ability. The 5 yellows and 1 red suggest disciplinary issues. At 25, he is what he is — a proven finisher who needs service rather than a player who can create his own chances.
Technical
Mental
Physical
Tier 1 — Real Data Metrics
Tier 2 — Composite Scores
FGA Weighting Breakdown
Season Context
1 Feb '26: @ Standard Liège (2-0 L) · Started
8 Feb '26: @ Genk (2-0 L) · Sub
15 Feb '26: vs La Louvière (0-0 D) · Started
22 Feb '26: @ Zulte-Waregem (4-2 W) · Started
28 Feb '26: vs OH Leuven (5-1 W) · Sub, 1 goal
3 May '26: vs Club Brugge (1-3 L) · 21', 7.4 rating
10 May '26: @ Gent (1-1 D) · 60', 6.5 rating
14 May '26: Cup Final vs Union (1-3 L) · 53', 6.1 rating
17 May '26: @ KV Mechelen (2-2 D) · 29', 6.0 rating
2024-25: Sint-Truiden · 33 apps, 21 goals · Co-top scorer
Proxy FGA Rating — 6.7 / 10 · Methodology
Top 10 Philosophy Fits
Tactical Archetype
"The Late-Blooming Poacher" — A forward who has worked his way up from the Belgian third tier through sheer goalscoring instinct. Bertaccini is at his best when sniffing out chances in the box, using his pace to get in behind, and finishing with either foot. His 21 goals in 2023–24 for Sint-Truiden (co-top scorer) proved he can find the net at the highest domestic level. However, his 29.1% duel success and 25.9% aerial win rate make him unsuitable as a target man. He is best deployed as a poacher or second striker in a two-striker system with a physical partner who can win aerials and hold up play. His 5 yellows and 1 red suggest he can be frustrated when isolated. Not a player who creates his own chances.
Career Timeline
Career Statistics
| Club | Season | League | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genk | 2019–20 | Belgian Pro League | 0 | 0 |
| Deinze (loan) | 2019–20 | Belgian Division 1 | 17 | 3 |
| Austria Lustenau | 2020–21 | 2. Liga (Austria) | 21 | 3 |
| Thes Sport | 2021–22 | National Division 1 | 26 | 11 |
| Thes Sport | 2022–23 | National Division 1 | 36 | 26 |
| RFC Liège | 2023–24 | Challenger Pro League | 17 | 11 |
| Sint-Truiden | 2023–24 | Belgian Pro League | 13 | 4 |
| Sint-Truiden | 2024–25 | Belgian Pro League | 33 | 21 |
| Sint-Truiden | 2025–26 | Belgian Pro League | 1 | 1 |
| Anderlecht | 2025–26 | Belgian Pro League | 29 | 5 |
| Career Total | 193 | 85 | ||
Honours
| Season | Club | Honour |
|---|---|---|
| 2019/20 | Deinze | First Amateur Division Champion |
| 2024/25 | Sint-Truiden | Belgian Pro League Top Scorer (shared) |
International Register
| Team | Years | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium U15 | 2014 | 1 | 0 |
| Belgium U16 | 2015–2016 | 7 | 2 |
| Belgium U17 | 2016–2017 | 8 | 2 |
| Belgium U18 | 2017 | 3 | 0 |
| Belgium U19 | 2018–2019 | 5 | 0 |
Physical Profile
Injury History
✓ Positive Filters
- Proven goalscorer at every level — 85 goals in 193 career apps. Goal every 2.3 games
- Belgian Pro League co-top scorer 2024–25 — 21 goals for Sint-Truiden. Shared with Arokodare
- Remarkable rise from third tier — 37 goals in 62 apps for Thes Sport (2021–23)
- Good pace — 90 pace rating in EA FC 26. Can get in behind defences
- Elite jumping — 86 jumping in EA FC 26. Surprising aerial threat for his height
- Finishes at expected rate — 7 goals from 7.61 xG at Anderlecht. Reliable converter
- Versatile forward — Can play CF, SS, LW, RW. Tactical flexibility
- Durable — 193 apps by age 25 with no major injuries
- Belgium youth pedigree — U15 through U19. 24 caps, 4 goals
- Long-term contract — Anderlecht until 2029 shows club commitment
- Professional attitude — Worked his way up through lower leagues. Hungry player
⚠ Caution Signals
- 25 years old — Limited development runway. Peak years now
- Poor duel success — 29.1% overall, 25.9% aerial. Easily bullied by physical defenders
- Low dribble success — 31.5% (17/54). Not a player who beats defenders 1v1
- Only 2 assists in 32 apps — Limited creativity for others
- 5 yellows and 1 red — Disciplinary record needs improvement
- No senior international caps — Belgium or Italy. Youth caps only
- Only 16 starts in 32 matches — Rotation player at Anderlecht, not guaranteed starter
- Agent: Vulpes — Monitor transfer ambition and client management
- One-footed — Right-footed only. Predictable finishing angles
✗ Critical Gaps
- All 16 T3 metrics pending — Zero validated video assessments; full scout review required
- Hold-up play unvalidated — Can he play with back to goal against top defenders?
- Aerial dominance unvalidated — 25.9% aerial win rate is poor. T3 must assess
- Pressing intensity unvalidated — Defensive work rate and pressing mechanics pending
- One-on-one finishing under pressure — Big-game mentality in tight moments needs T3
- Link-up play — Combination play with midfielders and wingers pending
- Two-footed ability — Left-footed finishing and passing unvalidated
- Top-5 league readiness — Only Belgian Pro League experience. Can he step up?
◆ Empire FGA Verdict
PROXY FGA 6.7 — PROVEN LOWER-LEAGUE GOALSCORER with T3 validation required. Adriano Bertaccini is one of the most compelling late-bloomer stories in Belgian football. His trajectory from the third tier to Pro League co-top scorer in just a few seasons is remarkable, and his 85 goals in 193 career apps prove he knows where the net is. At Anderlecht, he has shown he can contribute at the highest domestic level (7 goals in 32 apps). However, at 25 years old, his ceiling is limited. His aerial duels are poor (25.9%), his duel success is low (29.1%), and he has a red card in 2025–26. He is best suited as a poacher or second striker in a two-striker system where he can focus on finishing rather than build-up play. Not a target man. Validate T3 before recruitment decision.
Scout Assessment Notes
Physical Identity Card
FW-Specific Focus Areas
- → Finishing under pressure (1v1 with GK)
- → Hold-up play with back to goal
- → Aerial duel success & heading
- → Pressing intensity & defensive work
- → Link-up play & combination passing
- → Temperament & discipline (red card)