Northampton sign former Todaro teammate with 'x-factor' athleticism

Northampton have signed winger and wannabe vet, Malik Faissal, from Italian URC outfit Zebre Parma.

The 20-year-old Italian will arrive at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens this summer, having scored two tries in his seven appearances to date in his first season in senior rugby.

The highly-rated winger made his maiden bow for Zebre against Montauban in this season’s European Challenge Cup and announced himself in some style as he crossed the whitewash after just 24 minutes.

Now, though, Faissal is ready to test himself in the Gallagher PREM and is looking forward to making cinch Stadium his home in the summer.

“Right from my first call with the coaches, I have been excited about the chance to be a part of Northampton Saints,” said Faissal. “It’s a club full of talented young players and fantastic coaching staff that has a clear ambition.

“Moving to England and getting to play in a competitive league like the PREM is going to be a real challenge but it’s a great opportunity for me to grow as a rugby player and as a person.

“I’ve already had some good conversations with the coaches about my development and where they can help me learn. That coaching was one of the main reasons I wanted to come to Saints, to play amongst a squad that is at the top of its game and learn from them.

“But Saints was also a good choice for me to develop on a human level. The Club is not just good at rugby but develops good people too, and that is something that is important to me. I want to learn off the field, improve my English, create new friendships.

“The chance to live in England and experience life away from home, away from your friends and family, getting to come to a completely different country and experience something new, I hope will also help me grow as a person.

“I won’t be completely without friends in Northampton though, I played with Edoardo [Todaro] in last season’s Under-20 Six Nations and I know Danilo [Fischetti] too. Both of them have already made me feel so welcome.

“I am looking forward to playing alongside them next season but also playing with Saints’ other international players, some of whom have inspired me personally – to get to play alongside players of that talent will be fantastic.

“Moving away from my hometown club has been a big decision. Zebre was a team I grew up supporting, to have played for a team I watched as a kid has been a privilege and I will always be grateful to them for giving me that chance. I have made some incredible friendships in my time there, I have learned so much from the coaches and my teammates and I thank them for that.

“But looking ahead, this opportunity that Saints have given me and the trust the club have already shown me is very exciting. I want to play as much as I can in a Saints jersey, learn as a player and hopefully win some trophies along the way – I can’t wait to get started.”

After making his first two Zebre appearances in the Challenge Cup, Faissal – who is known for his pace and flair in attack – made his URC debut just before Christmas, coming off the bench against fellow Italian side Benetton.

He marked his debut league start with a flourish the following weekend, claiming a first league score against the same opposition, and has since added three more URC appearances to his tally – starting against Edinburgh and Dragons last month, before facing Vodacom Bulls last weekend.

Faissal – who began playing rugby in Parma at the age of just six – has also featured heavily for Italy’s Under-20s side during his time at Zebre, starting alongside soon-to-be Saints teammate Todaro throughout the 2025 Under-20 Six Nations.

The winger took his tally of U20 appearances to 10 in a second Six Nations championship this term, with his three tries at that level all coming against England.

“Malik first came to our attention when he was playing for Italy Under-20s,” said Saints’ Director of Rugby, Phil Dowson, of the young winger.

“From a capability point of view, Malik looks like a very well-rounded player, with some x-factor to his athleticism too. He’s got speed and the ability to win the ball in the air, which in today’s game is a vital skill.

“We’ve been impressed with his intent too, how hard he works to get into the right places on the field. Sam [Vesty] loved his breakdown elements and how he hits in defence as well.

“In our first chat, it was obvious that he’s a very intelligent and bright player and someone who’s ambitious – Malik asked some good questions of us. We spoke about what his ambitions were, what he wants to get out of his career and what his thoughts were about coming to England.

“Malik’s really academically driven outside of his rugby too, he has ambitions of becoming a vet, and his English is very good. He’s an impressive young man and we’re looking forward to getting him into our set-up.”