- Years with Minnesota United: 2019
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Nationality: Italian
- Acquisition: Loaned to Minnesota United FC from Reading FC (England) for the entire 2019 season.
Vito Mannone was arguably the most impactful one-season loan signing in Minnesota United history. He arrived with extensive experience in the Premier League (Arsenal, Sunderland) and was the backbone of the club’s defensive turnaround, leading them to their first-ever MLS Cup Playoff appearance.
Key stats with Minnesota United (MNUFC):
- MLS regular season appearances: 34 (played every minute)
- MLS regular season shutouts: 11 (a club record at the time)
- Saves: 129 (ranked second in MLS)
- Goal differential improvement: Anchored a defense that reduced its goals conceded by 28 from the previous season (2018), one of the largest defensive turnarounds in MLS history.
- Departure: Returned to his parent club, Reading FC, when his 12-month loan expired in December 2019.
Memorable moments and honors (Overall career):
- MLS Goalkeeper of the Year: Voted the 2019 Allstate MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, becoming the first MNUFC player to win a major end-of-season MLS award.
- MLS Best XI: Named to the 2019 MLS Best XI.
- Arsenal history: Began his professional career with Arsenal in the English Premier League, joining the club at age 17.
- Sunderland player of the year: Won the 2013–14 Sunderland Supporters’ Player of the Year award after a standout season that included saving two penalties in a shootout against Manchester United to send Sunderland to the League Cup final.
- French league experience: After his time in MLS, he played in France’s Ligue 1 for AS Monaco, FC Lorient, and LOSC Lille.
- US Open Cup final: Helped Minnesota United reach the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final (a 2-1 loss to Atlanta United).
Where is he now?:
- Vito Mannone is currently a Goalkeeper who is without a club.
- He was released by LOSC Lille in France in July 2025 following the expiration of his contract. His last competitive appearances were with Lille in the 2024-2025 season.