Content creator Tony Czech signs with Italian Serie D club Sanremese at 26

Tony Czech, a content creator followed by nearly 40 million subscribers across all platforms, has officially signed with Sanremese, a club currently seventh in Italian Serie D. The announcement was made on the evening of the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony in London, alongside transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

An attacking midfielder born in Clamart, in the Paris region, Tony Czech is 26 years old and has taken an unconventional path. Trained at Entente Sannois Saint-Gratien, he joined Les Ulis in 2020 before his football career was interrupted two years later, just as his videos were making him an internet celebrity. His TikTok account alone has 17.9 million followers.

The concept that made him famous is as simple as it is effective: giving roses to strangers on the street and filming their reaction. Later adapted to include professional footballers, this idea opened doors to events like the UNFP Awards and the Ballon d’Or, expanding his network in the football world.

“People knew me for my videos, for my roses, for the smiles I was able to give. But there was something I never stopped looking for: football. I’ve always had this dream: to become a professional. I’m 26, some would have said it was too late. I simply decided it wasn’t over, so I worked,” he explained in a video posted on Instagram.

The choice of Sanremese may not be coincidental: Christian Karembeu, 1998 World Cup champion, holds 37.5% of the Ligurian club. The two men have likely crossed paths at football events, though no direct link has been confirmed between Karembeu’s stake in the club and Tony Czech’s signing.

“I’m no longer just behind a camera, I’m in front of a contract, in Italy, with Sanremese. I believe in this dream, the one I’ve carried for years,” he added. At 26, and after several years away from the pitch, the Frenchman is attempting a reverse reconversion: from digital to the grass.