England’s right-back Kyle Walker has completed his loan move from Premier League side Manchester City to AC Milan, the Italian Serie A giant has announced.
“The 2023 Champions League-winning defender is a new AC Milan player. AC Milan are pleased to announce the loan of Kyle Andrew Walker from Manchester City FC, with an option to buy. Kyle was born on May 28, 1990, in Sheffield, England,” the club said in a statement on Friday.
The 34-year-old started his career at Sheffield United and then joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2009, making his Premier League debut in March 2010. In 2017, he moved to Manchester City, where he has played 319 matches and won 17 trophies, including six Premier League titles and one UEFA Champions League trophy in 2023. Walker debuted for England in November 2011 and has been capped 93 times.
It’s reported that his loan deal is free, but the Rossoneri will pay five million euros should it make the transfer permanent at the end of the season. Walker will wear the No. 32 jersey, which was donned by David Beckham during his two loan spells at San Siro.
According to Italian media outlets, Walker will not be included in Milan’s squad against Parma on Sunday, but the veteran is expected to make his Serie A debut in the Milan derby in early February.
Walker wrote a farewell post to Manchester City fans on Instagram after the transfer was confirmed. “Manchester City … where do I start?” Walker wrote. “Signing for this incredible club in 2017 was a dream come true. Seven years later, winning 17 trophies, including the Champions League and the famous treble is something I could only have dreamt as a child.
“To play alongside so many talented players has pushed me to be the best version of myself, and I’m truly grateful for the opportunity I’ve had at the Etihad. A huge thank you to so many people, the coaching staff, the kit men and all the backroom staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes. You make every day enjoyable and provide the platform for us to perform at our best,” he wrote in his post.
‘Proud to Sign for AC Milan’
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Manchester City captain Kyle Walker has completed a loan move to Italian giants AC Milan, where he will spend the rest of the season. Reflecting on the move to Serie A, the defender said he is proud to join the Italian side.
The England international underwent a medical with the seven-time European Cup winners on Thursday before finalising the deal. The agreement includes an option for Milan to make the 34-year-old defender’s move permanent at the end of the season.
Walker, a six-time Premier League winner with City, joins fellow English players Fikayo Tomori, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tammy Abraham at the San Siro. He will wear the number 32 shirt and could make his debut this Sunday when Milan hosts Parma in Serie A.
In a social media post, Walker expressed his excitement towards the new chapter of his life.
“’I’m delighted and proud to sign for AC Milan! A club with such rich history, one I’ve followed since I was a kid. It’s an honour to join and I can’t wait to pull on the Rossoneri shirt and get started. I’m very much looking forward to this new chapter in my career and to beginning this journey with my family in Italy,” he wrote in the post.
“Thank you to Mark Rankine, the journey continues. Finally a huge thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way, both on and off the pitch. See you soon!”
Walker joined City from Tottenham in 2017 for 50 million pound and has since made 319 appearances, playing a key role in the club’s treble-winning campaign of 2022-23. He has been part of all six Premier League title-winning squads under Pep Guardiola.
The right-back, who has earned 93 caps for England, last featured for City on January 4 against West Ham. After the game, Walker informed Guardiola of his decision to leave.
In a statement on their official website, Manchester City said: “Everyone at Manchester City wishes Kyle the very best of luck for the rest of the season.”
Walker’s departure comes shortly after City announced the signing of Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush in a 59 million pound deal from Eintracht Frankfurt.
