The Rossoneri moved swiftly in the transfer market to replace the 22-yar-old, even before he had decided upon his future. However, director Paolo Maldini has now confirmed the inevitable.
AC Milan and Donnarumma – who is represented by Mino Raiola – could not agree to terms which in turn, allows the youngster to walk away for free.
“He was a protagonist, a leader, and often a captain,”
“A professional must also be ready to change his shirt. It is increasingly difficult to start a career in one place and finish it there.
“We must thank those who gave so much for Milan and Gigio did it, without ever disrespecting the club. Our paths divide here and I can only wish him the best.”
Maldini told the club’s official Twitch channel.
Donnarumma made his professional debut for AC Milan as a 16-year-old. Now 22, the youngster has gone on to make over 250 appearances for the Rossoneri since then. The Italian kept 88 clean sheets during the same time and helped Milan win the 2016 Supercoppa Italiana. He was named in Serie A’s Team of the Year 2019/20 and was crowned as the league’s best goalkeeper the same season.
Lille’s title-winning goalkeeper Mike Maignan is expected to be unveiled as Donnarumma’s replacement soon. The Frenchman was spotted in Milan for his medical after the two clubs had come to an agreement over his transfer. AC Milan are reportedly paying Lille 15 million euros – a bargain for a player who kept 21 clean sheets domestically this term.
Maignan came through the youth ranks at Paris Saint-Germain but never made a senior team appearance for the club. He left the Parisiens in 2015 to join fellow Ligue 1 outfit Lille, with whom he won the league title in 2021.
Maignan played 189 games for Les Dogues and was crowned as Ligue 1’s Goalkeeper of the Year in 2019. He was subsequently named in the team of the year as well – an achievement he remarkably missed out on this year.
