AC Milan have officially confirmed the signing of midfielder Samuele Ricci from Torino as he becomes our first arrival this summer.
The 23-year-old impressed with both Torino and Empoli prior to his move to the Rossoneri, with his form at club level also earning him 10 caps for Italy.
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With a bright future ahead for club and country, the next chapter of his career will play out with Milan, as confirmed in their statement that Ricci has now joined us to become our first recruit of the summer, while he’s signed a contract until June 2029, with the club holding an option to extend for a further 12 months.
Additionally, they’ve also confirmed that he will wear the No.4 jersey, which also seemingly indicates that Ismael Bennacer’s time at the club will soon come to an end as he returns from a season-long loan spell last year.
As for Ricci though, it’s hoped that he can now firmly establish himself as a pillar of Massimiliano Allegri’s rebuilt and new-look midfield next season, and that he can be a real driving force by stamping his authority in the heart of this new Milan XI.
He has the tenacity, energy and technical ability to do so, but he’ll hope he can integrate quickly and become an influential figure in the heart of our midfield through pre-season.
“Hi Milan fans. I’m so excited for this new adventure, and I can’t wait to see you at San Siro. A big hug, hello, and Forza Milan,” the Italian international said in his first interview with MilanTV.
Having sold Tijjani Reijnders last month in a big-money switch to Manchester City, that exit left a big void behind in our midfield. With further outgoings and incomings expected, it’s emerged as a real priority area for Allegri in his planning ahead of his first season back at the helm, and he’ll be hoping that we’ve added a fundamental piece to the puzzle in Ricci.
It remains to be seen who else joins him at the club this summer with the expectation that Luka Modric will arrive later this month after sporting director Igli Tare all-but confirmed he has signed, and with speculation continuing to link us with other targets, there could yet be plenty more movement in that department in the coming weeks to build on the acquisition of our latest Italian midfield general.
