HC Lugano's Mark Arcobello eyes Swiss citizenship as he looks to the future

After nine years in Switzerland, Mark Arcobello is considering applying for Swiss citizenship. As his contract with HC Lugano nears its end, the 36-year-old forward is thinking about securing his future in the country where he has spent nearly a decade: "It is one of my goals, I would like to become a Swiss citizen and stay and live here. I have three children and for them, we have already started the naturalization paperwork. The oldest one attends public kindergarten, speaks perfect Italian, and feels at home here."

Despite being in the later stages of his career, Arcobello believes he can still make an impact. He plans to discuss his future with Lugano, aiming to continue playing, possibly as a naturalized Swiss player: "I would like to expose to the club my opinion, my plans, what I feel I can still give. Afterward, together, we will come to a decision. Calmly, without haste, although time passes quickly and it is clear that a player - especially at my age - is mentally calmer when he knows what awaits him in the future.”

After four years in Bern, in 2020 Arcobello moved to Lugano. In his fifth season with the Bianconeri, Arcobello scored two goals and put up two assists in six games thus far.