Share
By: Abiodun Adewale.
New AC Milan signing, Samuel Chukwueze, said the fans of the club as well as Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, influenced his decision to join the former European champions, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
After initial talks broke down between Milan and Villareal, Stefano Pioli’s side finally completed the signing of the Nigerian winger in a five-year deal worth €28m including add-ons. According to Sky Sport Italia, Sportitalia and others, the deal was struck for €20m plus up to another €8m in various add-ons and performance-related bonuses.
In turn, Milan have also loaned defender Matteo Gabbia to Villarreal for one season, without an option to buy.
The Nigerian arrived for his medicals on Wednesday and was quick to fulfil his first media duty for the club where he opened up on his decision to join the Rossoneri. Chukwueze also chose the No. 21 jersey for this season at San Siro.
“When I heard AC Milan wanted to sign me, I was a little bit nervous and all over my social media, I saw Milan fans sending me messages to come to the club. They are amazing people. And the first impression was the fans, they are the ones who made me come here,” Chukwueze said in his first interview with the club.
“He (Osimhen) told me nice things about the club and advised me that I shouldn’t hesitate to sign with them. I told him I was going to win against him and we joked about seeing how that goes.”
After six years in LaLiga with the Yellow Submarines, where he scored 13 goals and provided 11 assists in 50 competitive appearances last season, the winger is already looking forward to starting life in the Serie A.
“Making this kind of move in my career is the most important for me and I can’t wait to start playing here. I can’t wait to hear the fans chant. You keep learning every time, that’s the most important thing and six years in Spain I think I have learned a lot which can further help me in Europe,” he said.
The 24-year-old came through the Diamond Football Academy in Nigeria before moving to Villarreal in 2017. He made his debut with the senior team in September 2018, going on to feature 207 times, scoring 37 goals, and winning one Europa League title in 2021.
He has also been capped 28 times for Nigeria and scored four goals.