US forward Pulisic joins Milan from Chelsea on four-year deal

MILAN, July 14 ― AC Milan have signed United States forward Christian Pulisic from Chelsea on a four-year contract, with the option of a further year, the Serie A side said yesterday.

Financial details were not disclosed but British media reported that the Italian club had paid Chelsea €20 million (RM103 million) plus add-ons for the 24-year-old.

Pulisic has spent four seasons at Chelsea, making 145 appearances, scoring 26 goals and providing 21 assists.

He helped the west London club win the Champions League, Uefa Super Cup and Club World Cup in 2021.

Pulisic joins a long list of players who have left Chelsea after they came 12th in the Premier League last season, their lowest finish in nearly three decades.

Milan came fourth in Serie A last term to qualify for the Champions League.

“The last few seasons with Chelsea were difficult,” Pulisic told a press conference after being unveiled by Milan.

“For whatever reason, I wasn’t getting the opportunities I wanted at my previous club, but I now have a great opportunity to reach the highest level that I can…”

Pulisic will wear the number 11 shirt, worn by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and acknowledged the weight of responsibility that comes with it following the Swede’s retirement.

“I’m not trying to fill his shoes, he’s a legend, but it was a fresh beginning and a number that I liked,” Pulisic said.

“There are so many big names you can go through, but I am a bit younger, so watched the likes of Kaka and Ibrahimovic, plus the players who are here now.”

He becomes the second player to leave Chelsea for Milan in this transfer window after midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Pulisic is Milan manager Stefano Pioli’s fourth close-season signing after back-up goalkeeper Marco Sportiello from Atalanta, teenage forward Luka Romero from Lazio and Loftus-Cheek.