{{Short description|English footballer (born 1992)}} {{good article}} {{use British English|date=July 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Carl Piergianni | image = Carl_Piergianni.png | upright = 0.9 | caption = Piergianni playing for Salford City in 2017 | full_name = Carl Liam Piergianni<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/image/201920/general-news/efl-squad-numbering-06.09.2019.pdf |title=Notification of shirt numbers: Salford City |publisher=English Football League |page=62 |access-date=26 October 2019}}</ref> | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|5|3|df=y}}<ref name="Soccerway – Carl Piergianni">{{cite news | title = C. Piergianni | url = https://uk.soccerway.com/players/carl-piergianni/133792/ | website = Soccerway | accessdate = 5 January 2023}}</ref> | birth_place = Peterborough, England<ref name="Soccerway – Carl Piergianni"/> | height = {{convert|1.85|m|order=flip}}<ref name="Soccerway – Carl Piergianni"/> | position = Centre-back | currentclub = Stevenage | clubnumber = 5 | youthyears1 = 2007–2009 | youthclubs1 = Peterborough United | years1 = 2009–2011 | years2 = 2009–2010 | years3 = 2011 | years4 = 2011–2012 | years5 = 2012–2013 | years6 = 2013–2016 | years7 = 2017 | years8 = 2017–2020 | years9 = 2020 | years10 = 2020–2022 | years11 = 2022– | clubs1 = Peterborough United | clubs2 = → Spalding United (loan) | clubs3 = → Altrincham (loan) | clubs4 = Stockport County | clubs5 = Corby Town | clubs6 = Boston United | clubs7 = South Melbourne | clubs8 = Salford City | clubs9 = → Oldham Athletic (loan) | clubs10 = Oldham Athletic | clubs11 = Stevenage | caps1 = 1 | caps2 = 6 | caps3 = 21 | caps4 = 44 | caps5 = 28 | caps6 = 118 | caps7 = 9 | caps8 = 98 | caps9 = 11 | caps10 = 78 | caps11 = 157 | goals1 = 0 | goals2 = 0 | goals3 = 0 | goals4 = 4 | goals5 = 6 | goals6 = 16 | goals7 = 0 | goals8 = 12 | goals9 = 0 | goals10 = 8 | goals11 = 15 | club-update = 12:20, 30 January 2026 (UTC) }} '''Carl Liam Piergianni''' (born 3 May 1992) is an English professional footballer who serves as captain and plays as a centre-back for {{English football updater|Stevenag}} club Stevenage.
Piergianni began his career in the youth academy at Peterborough United, signing professional terms in May 2010 after a work experience loan at Spalding United. He made a single first-team appearance for Peterborough before leaving at the end of the 2010–11 season. He joined Stockport County in August 2011, spending one season there before moving to Corby Town for the 2012–13 season, and then signing for Boston United in May 2013. Across three years at Boston, he made 136 appearances, won consecutive Player of the Year awards, and was named twice in the National League North Team of the Year.
Following a brief spell in Australia with South Melbourne, he returned to England to sign for Salford City in May 2017, helping the club achieve back-to-back promotions into the Football League, scoring in the 2019 National League play-off final. In January 2020, Piergianni joined Oldham Athletic on loan, which was made permanent in August 2020. He captained Oldham for two years before signing for Stevenage in May 2022, where he was appointed club captain. In his first season, Stevenage earned promotion to League One, and Piergianni was named in the EFL League Two Team of the Season.
==Early life== Piergianni was born in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, where he attended Stanground College.<ref name="Dream Piergianni">{{Cite web|url=https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/sport/football/peterborough-united/posh_signing_dream_comes_true_for_piergianni_1_629258|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002132523/https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/sport/football/peterborough-united/posh_signing_dream_comes_true_for_piergianni_1_629258|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-10-02|title=Posh signing: Dream comes true for Piergianni|newspaper=Peterborough Evening Telegraph|publisher = National World Publishing Ltd |date=8 May 2010|access-date=1 January 2011}}</ref> He is of Italian descent through his father, Franco, who played at youth and reserve level for Peterborough United but did not progress to the professional game.<ref name="Dream Piergianni"/><ref name="Franco Piergianni">{{cite news | title = Franco Piergianni | url = https://www.theposhtrust.co.uk/players/franco-piergianni | website = The Posh Supporters Trust | accessdate = 8 September 2025}}</ref><ref name="Carl Piergianni – Virtual Player Visit 2021">{{cite news | title = Carl Piergianni – Virtual Player Visit 2021 | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVeu1gjkM20&ab_channel=OldhamAthleticCommunityTrust | website = YouTube | publisher = Oldham Athletic Community Trust | date = 29 July 2021 | accessdate = 8 September 2025}}</ref> The middle of three brothers, he grew up supporting Chelsea and aspired to model his playing style on John Terry.<ref name="Carl Piergianni – Virtual Player Visit 2021"/>
==Career== ===Peterborough United=== Piergianni was playing in the Peterborough and District Youth League when he was scouted by Peterborough United.<ref name="Dream Piergianni"/> He joined the club's youth system in 2007 and was named as their under-18 Player of the Year during his time in the academy.<ref name="Dream Piergianni"/> Whilst still playing for the club's under-18 team, Piergianni joined Spalding United on a work experience loan, where he made six first-team appearances in the Northern Premier League Division One South.<ref name="Altrincham news archive – December 2010 – New defender">{{cite news | title = Altrincham news archive – December 2010 – New defender | url = http://www.altrinchamfc.co.uk/alt1011e.htm | publisher = Altrincham F.C. | date = 31 December 2010 | accessdate = 14 January 2023}}</ref> The defender signed his first professional contract with Peterborough in May 2010, a one-year development agreement.<ref name="Dream Piergianni"/>
Piergianni made his Football League debut as a 95th-minute substitute in a 2–1 victory against Rochdale on 10 December 2010.<ref name="Peterborough 2-1 Rochdale">{{Cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_2/9254814.stm|title=Peterborough 2–1 Rochdale|website=BBC Sport|date=10 December 2010|access-date=1 January 2011}}</ref><ref name="Soccerbase – Carl Piergianni">{{cite news | title = Soccerbase – Carl Piergianni | url = https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=54258 | website = Soccerbase | publisher = CenturyComm | accessdate = 8 September 2025}}</ref> He joined Conference Premier club Altrincham on a work experience loan on 31 December 2010.<ref name="Darlington make Liam Hatch deal permanent">{{Cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/d/darlington/9331446.stm|title=Darlington make Liam Hatch deal permanent |website=BBC Sport|date=31 December 2010|access-date=1 January 2011}}</ref> He made his debut for the club the next day, playing the full match in a 0–0 draw with Wrexham.<ref name="Altrincham 0-0 Wrexham">{{cite news | title = Altrincham 0–0 Wrexham | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/9317493.stm | website = BBC Sport | date = 1 January 2011 | access-date = 1 January 2011}}</ref> Piergianni made 21 appearances during the 2010–11 season at Altrincham, leaving upon the conclusion of his loan at the end of the season.<ref name="Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2010/2011">{{soccerbase season|54258|2010|accessdate=5 January 2023}}</ref> He was released by Peterborough in June 2011.<ref name="Peterborough man stars at Wembley">{{cite news | title = Peterborough man stars at Wembley | url = https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/sport/football/peterborough-united/peterborough-man-stars-wembley-975421 | newspaper = Peterborough Today | publisher = National World Publishing Ltd | date = 12 May 2019 | accessdate = 5 January 2023 | first = Alan | last = Swann}}</ref>
===Stockport County=== Piergianni signed for Conference Premier club Stockport County on a free transfer on 10 August 2011.<ref name="Carl Piergianni joins Stockport County on a free">{{cite news|title= Carl Piergianni joins Stockport County on a free|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/14481447|website = BBC Sport|date= 10 August 2011|access-date= 10 August 2011}}</ref> He scored his first goals in senior football in a 3–3 draw with Hayes & Yeading on 5 November 2011, scoring twice to give Stockport a 3–1 lead in the match.<ref name="Stockport 3-3 Hayes and Yeading">{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/15504355 | title=Stockport 3–3 Hayes and Yeading | website=BBC Sport |date=5 November 2011 |access-date=5 November 2011}}</ref> He made 44 appearances in all competitions during the 2011–12 season, his first full season of regular first-team football, scoring four goals as Stockport finished the season in 16th position in the Conference Premier.<ref name="Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2011/2012">{{soccerbase season|54258|2011|accessdate=5 January 2023}}</ref><ref name="Soccerway – Carl Piergianni"/>
Stockport offered Piergianni a new contract in May 2012, but the two parties were unable to agree terms.<ref name="Gannon: New signing will be a Premier star">{{cite news |title=Gannon: New signing will be a Premier star |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gannon-new-signing-will-be-a-premier-star-690554 |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |publisher=M.E.N Media |date=4 July 2012 |accessdate=5 January 2023 |first=Ben |last=Collins}}</ref> Despite this, he played in three matches in the opening month of the 2012–13 season.<ref name="Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2012/2013">{{soccerbase season|54258|2012|accessdate=5 January 2023}}</ref> He left Stockport at the end of August 2012, with Director of Football Jim Gannon stating the club were no longer in a position financially to offer the defender a new contract.<ref name="Carl Piergianni and Cameron Darkwah to leave Stockport County at end of August">{{cite news |title=Carl Piergianni and Cameron Darkwah to leave Stockport County at end of August |url=https://www.mancunianmatters.co.uk/sport/23082012-carl-piergianni-and-cameron-darkwah-to-leave-stockport-county-at-end-of-august/ |website=Mancunian Matters |date=23 August 2012 |accessdate=5 January 2023 |first=Steven |last=Oldham |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812150617/https://www.mancunianmatters.co.uk/sport/23082012-carl-piergianni-and-cameron-darkwah-to-leave-stockport-county-at-end-of-august/ |archive-date=12 August 2022 }}</ref>
===Corby Town=== After leaving Stockport, Piergianni joined Conference North club Corby Town on a non-contract basis on 10 October 2012.<ref name="Soccerway – Carl Piergianni"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Steelmen pick up Piergianni |url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=88445 |website=Non-League Daily |access-date=11 October 2012 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113092504/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=88445 |archive-date=13 November 2012 }}</ref> He debuted for Corby in the club's 5–2 home defeat to Altrincham on 13 October 2012, scoring a consolation goal in the second half of the match.<ref name="Soccerway – Carl Piergianni"/> He was made club captain within a month of his arrival and made 30 appearances during the 2012–13 season, scoring seven goals.<ref name="Soccerway – Carl Piergianni"/><ref name="Football – City thwarted by late strike">{{cite news |title=Football – City thwarted by late strike |url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/10055895.football-city-thwarted-late-strike/ |newspaper=Oxford Mail |publisher=Newsquest Media Group Ltd |date=19 November 2012 |accessdate=5 January 2023}}</ref>
===Boston United=== Piergianni joined fellow Conference North club Boston United on 17 May 2013, becoming the club's third acquisition ahead of the new season.<ref name="Soccerway – Carl Piergianni"/><ref name="Piergianni becomes latest signing">{{cite news |title=Piergianni becomes latest signing |url=https://www.bostonunited.co.uk/news/piergianni-becomes-latest-sign-951826.html |publisher=Boston United F.C. |date=17 May 2013 |accessdate=5 January 2023 |first=Craig |last=Singleton}}</ref> He made his Boston debut in a 4–1 victory against former employers Stockport County at Edgeley Park on 17 August 2013.<ref name="Soccerway – Carl Piergianni"/> The defender played 47 times and scored five goals in all competitions during the 2013–14 season.<ref name="Boston United – 2013–14 – Carl Piergianni">{{cite news |title=Boston United – 2013–14 – Carl Piergianni |url=https://www.bostonunited.co.uk/teams/24809/player/carl-piergianni-940446/17574 |publisher=Boston United F.C. |accessdate=5 January 2023}}</ref> He was voted Boston's Players' Player of the Year at the club's end-of-season awards ceremony, in a season that saw the club finish in sixth place in the Conference North league table.<ref name="Soccerway – Carl Piergianni"/><ref name="Boston United – Carl Piergianni">{{cite news |title=Boston United – Carl Piergianni |url=https://www.bostonunited.co.uk/teams/24809/player/c-piergianni-940446/24504 |publisher=Boston United F.C. |accessdate=5 January 2023}}</ref> He was also named in the Conference North Team of the Year that season.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lomas |first1=John |title=Conference North Team of the Year |url=http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/new-mansfield-town-striker-adi-yussuf-named-in-conference-north-team-of-the-year-1-7298404 |newspaper=Mansfield and Ashfield Chad |location=London |publisher=Johnston Publishing Ltd |date=8 June 2015 |access-date=4 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104001844/http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/new-mansfield-town-striker-adi-yussuf-named-in-conference-north-team-of-the-year-1-7298404 |archive-date=4 January 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="United bag notable accolades">{{cite news |title=United bag notable accolades |url=https://www.bostonunited.co.uk/news/united-bag-notable-accolades-1441071.html |publisher=Boston United F.C. |date=9 June 2015 |accessdate=5 January 2023 |first=Craig |last=Singleton}}</ref> Piergianni signed a new two-year contract in May 2014.<ref name="Boston United – Carl Piergianni"/>
Boston reached the Conference North play-offs during the 2014–15 season, where they lost to Chorley at the semi-final stage, with Piergianni making 46 appearances in all competitions that season.<ref name="Boston United – 2014–15 – Carl Piergianni">{{cite news |title=Boston United – 2014–15 – Carl Piergianni |url=https://www.bostonunited.co.uk/teams/24809/player/carl-piergianni-940446/24504 |publisher=Boston United F.C. |accessdate=5 January 2023}}</ref> He was named the club's Player of the Year in May 2015.<ref name="Boston United – Carl Piergianni"/> He scored nine goals from central defence during the 2015–16 season as Boston once again qualified for the play-offs after finishing fifth in the league.<ref name="Soccerway – Carl Piergianni"/><ref name="Boston United – 2015–16 – Carl Piergianni">{{cite news |title=Boston United – 2015–16 – Carl Piergianni |url=https://www.bostonunited.co.uk/teams/24809/player/carl-piergianni-940446/32625 |publisher=Boston United F.C. |accessdate=5 January 2023}}</ref> They were defeated in the semi-final by North Ferriby United, losing 3–2 on aggregate.<ref name="Soccerway – Carl Piergianni"/> At the end of the season, Piergianni was named in the National League North Team of the Year. During his three years at Boston, he made 136 appearances and scored 19 goals.<ref name="Boston United – Carl Piergianni"/>
===South Melbourne=== Having opted to leave Boston at the end of the season, in order to travel to Australia,<ref name="South sign tough English Centre Back Piergianni">{{cite news |last=Kouroumalis |first=George |date=12 January 2017 |title=South sign tough English Centre Back Piergianni |publisher=South Melbourne F.C. |url=https://www.smfc.com.au/south-sign-tough-english-centre-back-piergianni/ |accessdate=5 January 2023}}</ref> Piergianni signed for South Melbourne of the National Premier Leagues, Australia's second division, on 12 January 2017.<ref name="South sign tough English Centre Back Piergianni"/> He made his debut for South Melbourne in the 2017 Community Shield, which they lost 2–1 to Bentleigh Greens.<ref name="Soccerway – Carl Piergianni"/> He made 13 appearances for the club, 10 of which were in the league, before leaving during the mid-season transfer window in May 2017.<ref name="Piergianni departs South for Salford City">{{cite news |title=Piergianni departs South for Salford City |url=https://www.cornerflag.com.au/piergianni-departs-south-salford-city/ |website=The Corner Flag |date=20 May 2017 |accessdate=5 January 2023 |first=Damir |last=Kulas}}</ref>
===Salford City=== Piergianni returned to England and signed a two-year contract with National League North club Salford City on 19 May 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/salfordcityfc/news/carl-piergianni-signs-for-salford-1802476.html |title=Carl Piergianni Agrees Moor Lane Deal – News – Salford City Football Club |publisher=Salford City F.C. |access-date=20 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820115109/http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/salfordcityfc/news/carl-piergianni-signs-for-salford-1802476.html |archive-date=20 August 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He made his debut in the club's first game of the 2017–18 season, a 2–0 home defeat to Darlington.<ref name="Soccerway – Carl Piergianni"/> He made 39 appearances and scored three goals as Salford earned promotion to the National League after finishing the season as National League North champions.<ref name="Soccerway – Carl Piergianni"/><ref name="Salford City – FCHD">{{cite news |title=Salford City – FCHD |url=https://www.fchd.info/SALFORDC.HTM |website=fchd.info |publisher=Football Club History Database |accessdate=6 January 2023}}</ref> He was voted the club's Player of the Year in April 2018 and was also named in the National League North Team of the Year that season.<ref name="Salford City Player of the Year 2017–18">{{cite news |title=Salford City Player of the Year 2017–18 |url=https://salfordcityfc.co.uk/player-of-the-year-201718/ |publisher=Salford City F.C. |date=24 April 2018 |accessdate=5 January 2023}}</ref><ref name="Vanarama National League North Team of the Season 2017–18">{{cite news |title=Vanarama National League North Team of the Season 2017–18 |url=https://salfordcityfc.co.uk/national-league-north-team-of-the-season-2017-18/ |publisher=Salford City F.C. |date=11 May 2018 |accessdate=6 January 2023}}</ref>
Piergianni signed a contract extension on 17 December 2018, with the new agreement running until 2021.<ref name="Carl Piergianni signs contract extension">{{cite news |title=Carl Piergianni signs contract extension |url=https://salfordcityfc.co.uk/piergianni-contract-extension-17122018/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106024143/https://salfordcityfc.co.uk/piergianni-contract-extension-17122018/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2023-01-06 |publisher=Salford City F.C. |date=17 December 2018 |accessdate=6 January 2023}}</ref> He played 53 times during the 2018–19 season as Salford earned back-to-back promotions into the Football League after winning the 2019 National League play-off final, a 3–0 victory against AFC Fylde at Wembley Stadium on 11 May 2019.<ref name="Soccerway – Carl Piergianni"/><ref name="AFC Fylde 0–3 Salford City">{{cite news |title=AFC Fylde 0–3 Salford City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48158693 |website=BBC Sport |date=11 May 2019 |accessdate=6 January 2023 |first=Josef |last=Rindl}}</ref> He scored Salford's second goal in the match: a header from a corner kick in the second half.<ref name="AFC Fylde 0–3 Salford City"/> The goal was his 11th of the season from central defence.<ref name="Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2018/2019">{{soccerbase season|54258|2018|accessdate=6 January 2023}}</ref> He was named in the National League Team of the Year for the 2018–19 season.<ref name="Peterborough man stars at Wembley"/> Despite playing regularly during the opening two months of the 2019–20 season in League Two, Piergianni was limited to two substitute appearances over two months following back-to-back defeats in September 2019.<ref name="Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2019/2020">{{soccerbase season|54258|2019|accessdate=6 January 2023}}</ref>
===Oldham Athletic=== Wanting to play first-team football, Piergianni joined fellow League Two club Oldham Athletic on 6 January 2020, on a loan agreement until the end of the 2019–20 season.<ref name="Carl Piergianni: Oldham Athletic sign Salford City defender on loan">{{cite news |title=Carl Piergianni: Oldham Athletic sign Salford City defender on loan |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51010419 |website=BBC Sport |date=6 January 2020 |accessdate=6 January 2023}}</ref> Oldham manager Dino Maamria highlighted the centre-back's leadership skills and character when the signing was announced.<ref name="Signing: Piergianni joins Latics on loan">{{cite news |title=Signing: Piergianni joins Latics on loan |url=https://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/news/2020/january/06012020-piergianni-signs-for-latics/ |publisher=Oldham Athletic A.F.C. |date=6 January 2020 |accessdate=6 January 2023}}</ref> He made 11 appearances during the loan spell before the League Two regular season was curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.<ref name="Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2019/2020"/> Piergianni signed for Oldham on a permanent basis on 2 August 2020, agreeing a two-year contract.<ref name="Signing: Piergianni rejoins Latics permanently">{{cite news |title=Signing: Piergianni rejoins Latics permanently |url=https://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/news/2020/august/24072020-carl-piergianni-signs-permanent-deal/ |publisher=Oldham Athletic A.F.C. |date=2 August 2020 |accessdate=6 January 2023}}</ref> He scored five times in 45 appearances during the 2020–21 season as Oldham finished 18th in League Two.<ref name="Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2020/2021">{{soccerbase season|54258|2020|accessdate=6 January 2023}}</ref> In April 2021, he won the PFA Community Champion award for the 2020–21 season for his work with the Oldham Athletic Community Trust (OACT) throughout the year.<ref name="Piergianni awarded PFA Community Champion 2020/21">{{cite news |title=Piergianni awarded PFA Community Champion 2020/21 |url=https://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/news/2021/april/09042021-piergianni-wins-award/ |publisher=Oldham Athletic A.F.C. |date=9 April 2021 |accessdate=6 January 2023}}</ref>
Piergianni was named club captain during the 2021–22 season.<ref name="Oldham Athletic captain retains PFA Community Champion crown">{{cite news |title=Oldham Athletic captain retains PFA Community Champion crown |url=https://www.theoldhamtimes.co.uk/sport/20128253.oldham-athletic-captain-retains-pfa-community-champion-crown/ |newspaper=The Oldham Times |publisher = Newsquest Media Group Ltd |date=10 May 2022 |accessdate=6 January 2023 |first=Susan |last=Geldard}}</ref> He played 48 times during the season, scoring four goals, as Oldham were relegated to the National League.<ref name="Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2021/2022">{{soccerbase season|54258|2021|accessdate=6 January 2023}}</ref> He won the PFA Community Champion award for the second consecutive season in recognition of his continued work with the OACT.<ref name="Piergianni awarded PFA Community Champion 2021/22">{{cite news |title=Piergianni awarded PFA Community Champion 2021/22 |url=https://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/news/2022/may/09052022-piergianni-pfa-award/ |publisher=Oldham Athletic A.F.C. |date=9 May 2022 |accessdate=6 January 2023}}</ref> With his contract set to expire, Piergianni was released by Oldham at the end of the season.<ref name="2022 Retained & released list">{{cite news |title=2022 Retained & released list |url=https://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/news/2022/may/20052022-retained-list/ |publisher=Oldham Athletic A.F.C. |date=23 May 2022 |accessdate=6 January 2023}}</ref>
===Stevenage=== Piergianni signed for League Two club Stevenage on a free transfer on 23 May 2022.<ref name="Stevenage: Carl Piergianni, Aaron Chapman & Michael Bostwick move to Lamex Stadium">{{cite news |title=Stevenage: Carl Piergianni, Aaron Chapman & Michael Bostwick move to Lamex Stadium |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61562895 |website=BBC Sport |date=24 May 2022 |accessdate=6 January 2023}}</ref> He made his debut in a 2–1 away victory over Tranmere Rovers on 30 July 2022 and scored his first goal in a 1–0 win against Rochdale on 16 August 2022.<ref name="Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2022/2023">{{soccerbase season|54258|2022|accessdate=6 January 2023}}</ref> He made 55 appearances in all competitions during his first season, scoring eight goals from central defence, as Stevenage secured promotion to League One with a second-place finish.<ref name="Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2022/2023"/><ref name="League Two – 2022–23 – League Table">{{cite news |title = League Two – 2022–23 – League Table |url = https://uk.soccerway.com/national/england/league-two/20222023/regular-season/r70495/tables/ |website = Soccerway |accessdate = 8 May 2023}}</ref> At the 2023 EFL Awards, he was named in the League Two Team of the Season,<ref name="EFL Team of the Season line-ups revealed">{{cite news |title = EFL Team of the Season line-ups revealed |url = https://www.efl.com/news/2023/april/efl-team-of-the-season-line-ups-revealed/ |publisher = English Football League |date = 23 April 2023 |accessdate = 8 May 2023}}</ref> and was also voted Stevenage Player of the Year at the club's end-of-season awards.<ref name="Carl Piergianni on Stevenage's promotion to League One">{{cite news |title = Carl Piergianni on Stevenage's promotion to League One |url = https://www.thecomet.net/sport/23491099.carl-piergianni-stevenages-promotion-league-one/ |newspaper = The Comet |publisher = Newsquest Media Group Ltd |date = 30 April 2023 |accessdate = 8 May 2023 |first = Neil |last = Metcalfe}}</ref>
He was included in the club's retained list for the 2023–24 season,<ref name="Stevenage FC retained list 2022/23">{{cite news |title = Stevenage FC retained list 2022/23 |url = https://www.stevenagefc.com/news/2023/may/retained-list-stevenage-fc-football-club-sky-bet-league-two-efl-english-football-league/ |publisher = Stevenage F.C. |date = 18 May 2023 |accessdate = 4 June 2023}}</ref> signing a new contract on 5 June 2023.<ref name="Carl Piergianni: Stevenage captain signs 'improved' contract with promoted club">{{cite news |title = Carl Piergianni: Stevenage captain signs 'improved' contract with promoted club |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65808936 |website = BBC Sport |date = 5 June 2023 |accessdate = 10 June 2023}}</ref> Piergianni made 50 appearances that season, scoring four goals, while leading the league in aerial duels won (380) and recording the second-highest number of interceptions (68).<ref name="Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2023/2024">{{soccerbase season|54258|2023|accessdate=4 June 2023}}</ref><ref name="Carl Piergianni pens new Stevenage contract">{{cite news | title = Carl Piergianni pens new Stevenage contract | url = https://www.stevenagefc.com/news/2024/june/15/carl-piergianni-pens-new-stevenage-contract/ | publisher = Stevenage F.C. | date = 15 June 2024 | accessdate = 10 July 2025}}</ref> He was named Stevenage Player of the Year for the second successive season on 30 April 2024.<ref name="Burns, Reid & Piergianni take home End of Season Awards">{{cite news | title = Burns, Reid & Piergianni take home End of Season Awards | url = https://www.stevenagefc.com/news/2024/april/end-season-awards-winner-supporters-association-stevenage-fc-football-club-sky-bet-league-one-efl-english-football-league/ | publisher = Stevenage F.C. | date = 30 April 2024 | accessdate = 9 July 2025}}</ref> Piergianni agreed an extended contract on 15 June 2024,<ref name="Carl Piergianni pens new Stevenage contract"/> and went on to make 49 appearances, scoring three goals, during the 2024–25 season.<ref name="Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2024/2025">{{soccerbase season|54258|2024|accessdate=9 July 2025}}</ref> He signed a further contract extension on 15 August 2025, with the duration undisclosed.<ref name="Stevenage captain Piergianni signs new deal">{{cite news | title = Stevenage captain Piergianni signs new deal | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c1w897dej77o | website = BBC Sport | date = 15 August 2025 | accessdate = 8 September 2025}}</ref>
==Style of play== Deployed as a centre-back,<ref name="Carl Piergianni signs for Stevenage">{{cite news |title=Carl Piergianni signs for Stevenage |url=https://www.stevenagefc.com/news/2022/may/carl-piergianni-transfer-signing-stevenage-fc-football-club-sky-bet-league-two-efl-english-football-league-monday-23-may-2022/ |publisher=Stevenage F.C. |date=23 May 2022 |accessdate=1 September 2023}}</ref><ref name="Player profile – Carl Piergianni">{{cite news |title=Player profile – Carl Piergianni |url=https://www.whoscored.com/Players/85686/Show/Carl-Piergianni |website=WhoScored.com |accessdate=10 January 2023}}</ref> Piergianni has been described as a "commanding defender".<ref name="Signing: Piergianni rejoins Latics permanently"/><ref name="Latics boss Kewell makes three new signings in one day">{{cite news |title=Latics boss Kewell makes three new signings in one day |url=https://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/157/latics/135801/latics-boss-kewell-makes-three-new-signings-in-one-day |newspaper=Oldham Evening Chronicle |publisher=Oldham Chronicle |date=3 August 2020 |accessdate=10 January 2023}}</ref> His ability to win aerial duels has been described as one of his main strengths, as well as blocking attacking shots and clearing the ball out of defence.<ref name="Player profile – Carl Piergianni"/> An aerial threat from set-pieces, Piergianni has scored the majority of his goals from attacking free kicks and corner kicks.<ref name="Incredible finish at the Lamex as Stevenage beat Stockport County ">{{cite news |title=Incredible finish at the Lamex as Stevenage beat Stockport County |url=https://www.thecomet.net/sport/20676890.incredible-finish-lamex-stevenage-beat-stockport-county/ |newspaper=The Comet |publisher = Newsquest Media Group Ltd |date=6 August 2022 |accessdate=1 September 2023 |first = Neil |last=Metcalfe}}</ref> Having been appointed club captain at Corby Town, Oldham and Stevenage, his leadership skills have also been highlighted as a strength.<ref name="Oldham defender Carl Piergianni named PFA Community Champion">{{cite news |title=Oldham defender Carl Piergianni named PFA Community Champion |url=https://www.theoldhamtimes.co.uk/sport/19223410.oldham-defender-carl-piergianni-named-pfa-community-champion/ |newspaper=The Oldham Times |publisher = Newsquest Media Group Ltd |date=9 April 2021 |accessdate=10 January 2023 |first=Suzanne|last=Geldard}}</ref>
==Career statistics== {{updated|match played 27 January 2026}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|EFL Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="3"|Peterborough United |2009–10<ref name="Soccerway – Carl Piergianni"/> |Championship |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |2010–11<ref name="Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2010/2011"/> |League One |1||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||1||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !1!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!1!!0 |- |Spalding United (loan) |2009–10<ref name="Altrincham news archive – December 2010 – New defender"/> |NPL Division One South |6||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||6||0 |- |Altrincham (loan) |2010–11<ref name="Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2010/2011"/> |Conference Premier |21||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||21||0 |- |rowspan="3"|Stockport County |2011–12<ref name="Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2011/2012"/> |Conference Premier |41||4||1||0||colspan="2"|—||2{{efn|name=FATrophy|Appearances in FA Trophy}}||0||44||4 |- |2012–13<ref name="Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2012/2013"/> |Conference Premier |3||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||3||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !44!!4!!1!!0!!0!!0!!2!!0!!47!!4 |- |Corby Town |2012–13<ref name="Soccerway – Carl Piergianni"/> |Conference North |28||6||1||0||colspan="2"|—||1{{efn|name=FATrophy}}||1||30||7 |- |rowspan="4"|Boston United |2013–14<ref name="Soccerway – Carl Piergianni"/><ref name="Boston United – Carl Piergianni"/> |Conference North |41||3||2||0||colspan="2"|—||4{{efn|name=CP1314|Three appearances and two goals in FA Trophy; one appearance in Lincolnshire Senior Cup}}||2||47||5 |- |2014–15<ref name="Soccerway – Carl Piergianni"/><ref name="Boston United – Carl Piergianni"/> |Conference North |39||4||1||0||colspan="2"|—||6{{efn|name=CP1415|Three appearances in FA Trophy; two appearances in 2015 Conference North play-offs; one appearance and one goal in Lincolnshire Senior Cup}}||1||46||5 |- |2015–16<ref name="Soccerway – Carl Piergianni"/><ref name="Boston United – Carl Piergianni"/> |National League North |38||9||1||0||colspan="2"|—||4{{efn|name=CP1516|One appearance in FA Trophy; two appearances in 2016 National League North play-offs; one appearance in Lincolnshire Senior Cup}}||0||43||9 |- !colspan=2|Total !118!!16!!4!!0!!0!!0!!14!!3!!136!!19 |- |South Melbourne |2017 |National Premier Leagues |10||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||3{{efn|name=CP17|Two appearances in FFA Cup; one appearance in FV Community Shield}}||0||13||0 |- |rowspan="4"|Salford City |2017–18<ref name="Soccerway – Carl Piergianni"/> |National League North |39||3||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||39||3 |- |2018–19<ref name="Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2022/2023"/> |National League |46||9||3||0||colspan="2"|—||4{{efn|name=CP1819|Two appearances in FA Trophy; two appearances and two goals in 2019 National League play-offs}}||2||53||11 |- |2019–20<ref name="Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2022/2023"/> |League Two |13||0||1||0||1||0||2{{efn|name=EFL|Appearances in EFL Trophy}}||0||17||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !98!!12!!4!!0!!1!!0!!6!!2!!109!!14 |- |rowspan="1"|Oldham Athletic (loan) |2019–20<ref name="Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2022/2023"/> |League Two |11||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||11||0 |- |rowspan="3"|Oldham Athletic |2020–21<ref name="Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2022/2023"/> |League Two |38||5||2||0||2||0||3{{efn|name=EFL}}||0||45||5 |- |2021–22<ref name="Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2022/2023"/> |League Two |40||2||2||0||3||0||3{{efn|name=EFL}}||1||48||3 |- !colspan=2|Total !89!!7!!4!!0!!5!!0!!6!!1!!114!!8 |- |rowspan="5"|Stevenage |2022–23<ref name="Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2022/2023"/> |League Two |46||7||4||0||2||0||3{{efn|name=EFL}}||1||55||8 |- |2023–24<ref name="Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2023/2024"/> |League One |43||4||4||0||1||0||2{{efn|name=EFL}}||0||50||4 |- |2024–25<ref name="Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2024/2025"/> |League One |44||3||1||0||1||0||3{{efn|name=EFL}}||0||49||3 |- |2025–26<ref name="Games played by Carl Piergianni in 2025/2026">{{soccerbase season|54258|2025|accessdate=8 September 2025}}</ref> |League One |24||1||1||0||0||0||1{{efn|name=EFL}}||1||26||2 |- !colspan=2|Total !157!!15!!10!!0!!4!!0!!9!!2!!180!!17 |- !colspan=3|Career total !572||60||24||0||10||0||41||9||641||69 |}
{{notelist}}
==Honours== '''Salford City''' *National League North: 2017–18<ref name="Salford City – FCHD"/><ref name="Salford City Player of the Year 2017–18"/> *National League play-offs: 2019<ref name="AFC Fylde 0–3 Salford City"/>
'''Stevenage''' *EFL League Two runner-up: 2022–23<ref name="Reeves goal secures Stevenage second spot">{{cite news | title = Reeves goal secures Stevenage second spot | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65445723 | website = BBC Sport | date = 8 May 2023 | accessdate = 8 May 2023}}</ref>
'''Individual'''
* EFL League Two Team of the Season: 2022–23<ref name="EFL Team of the Season line-ups revealed"/> *PFA Team of the Year: 2022–23 League Two<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66650723 |title=Erling Haaland: Manchester City forward wins PFA men's Player of the Year award |website=BBC Sport |date=29 August 2023 |access-date=29 August 2023}}</ref> *National League Team of the Year: 2018–19<ref name="Peterborough man stars at Wembley"/> *National League North Team of the Year: 2014–15,<ref name="United bag notable accolades" /> 2015–16,<ref name="Signing: Piergianni joins Latics on loan"/> 2017–18<ref name="Vanarama National League North Team of the Season 2017–18" /> *Boston United Player of the Year: 2013–14,<ref name="Boston United – Carl Piergianni" /> 2014–15<ref name="Boston United – Carl Piergianni" /> *Salford City Player of the Year: 2018–19<ref name="Salford City Player of the Year 2017–18" /> *Stevenage Player of the Year: 2022–23,<ref name="Carl Piergianni on Stevenage's promotion to League One"/> 2023–24<ref name="Burns, Reid & Piergianni take home End of Season Awards"/>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{Soccerbase}}
{{Stevenage F.C. squad}} {{Navboxes | title = Awards | bg = gold | fg = navy | list1 = {{Boston United F.C. Player of the Year}} {{Salford City F.C. Player of the Year}} {{Stevenage F.C. Player of the Year}} {{2013–14 Conference North Team of the Year}} {{2014–15 Conference North Team of the Year}} {{2015–16 National League North Team of the Year}} {{2017–18 National League North Team of the Year}} {{2018–19 National League Team of the Year}} {{2022–23 EFL League Two Team of the Season}} {{2022–23 EFL League Two PFA Team of the Year}} }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Piergianni, Carl}} Category:1992 births Category:Living people Category:English people of Italian descent Category:British sportspeople of Italian descent Category:Sportspeople of Italian descent Category:21st-century English sportsmen Category:English men's footballers Category:Footballers from Peterborough Category:Men's association football central defenders Category:English Football League players Category:National League (English football) players Category:National Premier Leagues players Category:Peterborough United F.C. players Category:Spalding United F.C. players Category:Altrincham F.C. players Category:Stockport County F.C. players Category:Boston United F.C. players Category:Corby Town F.C. players Category:Salford City F.C. players Category:South Melbourne FC players Category:Oldham Athletic A.F.C. players Category:Stevenage F.C. players Category:English expatriate men's footballers Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in Australia Category:English expatriate sportspeople in Australia