AC Milan have completed the signing of Nigeria International Samuel Chukwueze from Villarreal for a fee of €20 million plus €8 million in performance related add-ons.
Chukwueze has signed a five-year deal with AC Milan, meaning he will remain with the club until the summer of 2028.
Confirming his arrival to San Siro, the Italian club put out a statement on their official website which reads:
“AC Milan is delighted to announce the signing of Samuel Chimerenka Chukwueze from Villarreal CF.
“The Nigerian forward has signed for the Rossoneri until 30 June 2028.”
The 24-year-old joined Villarreal in 2017 from Diamond Football Academy in Nigeria for a fee of €500,000.
Samuel Chukwueze made his first-team debut for the Yellow Submarine on the 20th of September, 2018 coming on for Nicola Sansone in a 2-2 UEFA Europa League draw against Rangers in the 2018/19 season.
The Nigerian also made his league debut on the 5th of November, 2018 playing the entire duration of Villarreal’s 1-1 draw against Levante in the 2018/19 season.
He made 207 appearances for Villareal, scoring 37 goals and providing 31 assists across all competitions.
Chukwueze is known for his trickery, determination, stunning finishes and strength while on the ball.
The 24-year-old was part of the Villareal squad that won the 2020/21 UEFA Europa League, defeating Manchester United in the final.
New AC Milan signing Samuel Chukwueze is a close friend of Napoli’s Victor Osimhen
Samuel Chukwueze is a close friend of Napoli talisman Victor Osimhen and many can’t wait to see both of them strutting their stuff in the Serie A.
The winger was part of the Nigeria squad that won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile alongside his close friend Osimhen.
Chukwueze was the third highest scorer in the tournament, scoring 3 goals and providing 3 assists, while compadre Victor Osimhen went home with the gong with 10 goals scored and 2 assists.
The 24-year-old becomes AC Milan’s seventh signing this summer, having signed Christian Pulisic, Tijjani Reijnders, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Noah Okafor, Luka Romero and Marco Sportiello.
AC Milan finished 4th last season and that meant they couldn’t defend the Serie A title which they won in the 2021/22 season, as they relinquished the title to Napoli.
The Rossoneri also crashed out of the UEFA Champions League in the Semi-final, losing 3-0 to eternal rivals Inter Milan on aggregate.
He becomes the 9th Nigerian to represent AC Milan, after Ezekiel Henty, Taye Taiwo, Nnamdi Oduamadi, Harmony Ikande, Wilfred Osuji, Kingsley Umunegbu, Taribo West and Aliyu Datti.
The 7-time Champions League winners are making needed reinforcements as they look to compete on all fronts next season.
Samuel Chukwueze made 50 appearances for Villareal last season, scoring 13 goals and providing 11 assists across all competitions.
Chukwueze was also instrumental for the Yellow Submarine last term, featuring in all their league matches except one and helping the club to a 5th place finish in the La Liga.
