By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 06:17 EDT, 30 August 2025 | Updated: 06:17 EDT, 30 August 2025
MILAN (AP) - AC Milan signed dribbling expert Christopher Nkunku from Chelsea on Saturday for a reported fee of 37 million euros ($43 million).
The French player signed a five-year contract, Milan announced without providing financial details.
The 27-year-old Nkunku came up through Paris Saint-Germain´s youth system before moving to Leipzig in 2019. He spent the last two seasons at Chelsea and his extra-time goal sparked the Blues to a win over Benfica in the round of 16 at the Club World Cup - which Chelsea went on to win - in July. He scored 18 goals in 62 matches for Chelsea.
Known for his 1-on-1 abilities and speed with the ball, Nkunku will be counted on to add pace to Milan´s attack. He can play both as an attacking midfielder and as a forward. He has made 14 appearances for France.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said in August that Nkunku would no longer be part of the squad - after joining on a six-year deal in 2023 that was worth 52 million pounds (nearly $70 million).
"Christo is a fantastic professional," Maresca said Friday. "The only problem with him is that in his position we have Cole Palmer, so it was tough to find minutes for him."
FILE - Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku during the Europa Conference League quarterfinals second leg soccer match between Chelsea FC and Legia Warszawa at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, file)
Milan bounced back from a loss at the San Siro to promoted Cremonese in its Serie A opener with a 2-0 win at Lecce on Friday.
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer