FIKAYO TOMORI has joined AC Milan on a permanent transfer after the Italian side enacted a clause to sign the centre-back.
Chelsea loaned the defender to the San Siro giants in January and he impressed in the club’s run to second place in Serie A.
In 22 appearances, Tomori won over many fans, some of whom called for Gareth Southgate to include him in England’s Euro 2020 squad.
The loan deal contained a £25million option to permanently sign the player, which was taken up by Milan.
Tomori signs on a four-year contract in a move confirmed on Thursday.
Coming through the Chelsea ranks, he won the FA Youth Cup on two occasions before a debut in 2016.
Loan spells at Brighton, Hull and Derby followed and then-Rams boss Frank Lampard handed him a year in the Blues first-team after taking over in West London.
But Tomori play just 45 minutes in the league last season amid the arrival of Thiago Silva, and was allowed to leave midway through the campaign.
A statement from the Premier League club read: “Chelsea is grateful to Fikayo for his contributions at the club, from youth level to men’s first-team squad, and wishes him the very best in his future career.”
It had been suggested that Milan wanted to negotiate down the pre-agreed fee with Chelsea.
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But the Rossoneri have shown how highly they value the 23-year-old, who ousted club captain Alessio Romagnoli from his spot in the defence.
The fee makes Tomori the second most expensive purchase for the club since Elliott Management Corporation took over in 2018.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan plan on going back to Chelsea and accelerating their bid for Olivier Giroud now the Tomori deal is done.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
