Marco Branca

In his first season with the Nerazzuri, Branca scored an impressive 17 goals in 24 matches, but did not repeat in his next campaign and was sold to English second-tier side Middlesbrough. Branca scored nine goals in 12 league games for Middlesbrough, including two on his league debut in a 3–1 victory against Sunderland, a hat-trick versus Bury and another two in the 6–0 win over Swindon Town. In addition, he played two League Cup games, scoring the second goal against Liverpool in the semi-final second leg on his debut. His nine goals aided in Boro's promotion to the Premiership, but he was then sold to Swiss club FC Luzern.

From 2002 until February 2014, Branca was part of Internazionale's management, working in their transfer network. He helped organise the transfers of Lúcio, Diego Milito, Thiago Motta, Wesley Sneijder and Samuel Eto'o.

Branca saw out his playing days with FC Luzern and Italian lower-league club Monza before retiring in 2001.

Branca was a member of the Italy under-21 side that won the 1996 UEFA European Under-21 Championship; he also took part at the 1996 Summer Olympics that year.

Born in Grosseto, Branca started his playing career with Grosseto, the then-amateur local team of his native city, but was soon signed by Cagliari, where he made his professional debut. He then moved to Udinese, Sampdoria and then again to Udinese. Following another season with Sampdoria, he signed first for Fiorentina and then for Parma. In 1995, he transferred to A.S. Roma, who sold him in the 1996 winter transfer window to Internazionale in exchange for Marco Delvecchio.

Marco Branca (born 6 January 1965) is an Italian former professional football striker who was, until February 2014, sporting director of Serie A club Internazionale.