Parma Defrel joined Parma in 2009, and made his debut for the club as a
substitute at the age of 19 on 22 May 2011, in the final game of the
2010–11 Serie A season in a
dead rubber against
Cagliari, a match that ended 1–1.
Cesena In June 2012, Cesena and Parma made a series of cashless player swaps, in which Defrel (€1.2 million) and
Gianluca Lapadula (€1.4 million) went to Cesena, whilst
Andrea Rossini (€1.6 million) and
Nicola Del Pivo (€1.0 million) went to Parma. Both clubs retained
50% registration rights. In June 2013 and June 2014, Defrel's co-ownership was renewed. Despite Parma going bankrupted and failing to find a new buyer on 25 June 2015, Cesena submitted a bid of reported €51,000 to
Lega Serie A to solve the co-ownership in favour of Cesena, despite the club not being required to do so.
Sassuolo On 5 August 2015,
Sassuolo announced that they had signed Defrel from Cesena for an undisclosed fee. He was given the number 92 shirt.
Roma On 20 July 2017, Defrel re-joined former manager
Eusebio Di Francesco at
Roma on loan, for €5 million loan fee, with an obligation to make the transfer permanent for an additional €15 million (plus €3 million bonuses) should certain sporting targets be met. At the same time, Sassuolo signed Roma youth products Davide Frattesi and
Riccardo Marchizza as part of the deal, for a total fee of €8 million.
Sampdoria (loan) On 27 July 2018, Defrel joined
Sampdoria on a season-long loan with the option to buy from Roma.
Sassuolo return (loan) On 30 August 2019, Defrel returned to
Sassuolo on a season-long loan deal.
Modena On 7 August 2024, Defrel joined
Serie B club
Modena on a two-year contract. ==International career==