This evening, it has been confirmed that AC Milan have lost out on a young star in Alessandro Longoni with him heading to PSG.
It is nothing new for top European clubs to poach talent. However, it is rarely from within other top European clubs; instead, fees are normally involved. So, the case of Longoni is a rare one, especially with Milan looking to create new pathways to the first team.
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Nevertheless, weeks of suggestions about an exit have now come true.
Longoni departs
On their official website, PSG have released a statement, as can be seen below.
“Born on 31st January 2008, Longoni joined AC Milan’s youth ranks at the age of nine, before making his way up to the club’s reserve side and then turning professional in February 2024. The keeper, who stands at 192 cm tall, also took part in the prestigious UEFA Youth League for I Rossoneri.
“Renowned for his quality between the sticks as much as for his ball control, Longoni gradually established himself as one of the most promising goalkeepers of his generation in Italy.
“Having first been called up by his country at U15 level, Longoni has represented Italy at every stage of youth football up until the U19s, with whom he currently plays. In 2024, he took home the UEFA European Under-17 Championship with Gli Azzurrini, before playing a significant part in their third-place finish at the following year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup by saving two penalties in a shootout against Brazil.
Longoni also provided a few words for the press release.
“I’d firstly like to thank the President, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, as well as Luís Campos and Luis Enrique for the opportunity that they have given me and for the trust that they have placed in me. I’m very happy to have joined Paris Saint-Germain, and I will keep working as hard as ever in order to repay that trust.”
It certainly brings up old feelings about Gianluigi Donnarumma’s departure, albeit without the caveat of him being a first-team starter, of course. Though it is never nice to see a promising talent leave for nothing.