Christian Pulisic moves on to AC Milan

Ciao Milan –– Christian Pulisic, the American soccer star, is officially leaving for Italy. 

After four seasons with Chelsea, Pulisic is joining AC Milan on a transfer reportedly worth more than €20 million ($21.8m). 

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed the deal on Twitter on Friday, sending the 24-year-old midfielder to the Champions League next season. 

Pulisic allegedly agreed on personal terms to play for Milan a few weeks ago, turning down a  €25 million ($27.2 million) bid from French club Lyon of Ligue 1 as ACM was the only team he wanted to land on. 

Getting Chelsea to agree on the transfer fee seemed to hold up the process, however the club is now estimated to save around €15m per year with Pulisic’s departure as he opted for a pay cut to be in Milan. 

The United States men’s national team captain joined Chelsea in 2019 on a $65 million transfer from the Bundesliga’s Borussia Dortmund –– still the most money an American player has gotten on a transfer. 

While with the English club, Pulisic netted 20 goals and dished out nine assists through 98 matches. 

Pulisic’s offensive power is well-known by the USMNT as he guided the group through four 2022 World Cup matches with one goal and two assists in Qatar. 

Since debuting with the USMNT in 2016, Pulisic has posted 20 goals and 11 assists in 50 games. 

Pulisic’s numbers weren’t as productive with Chelsea, but he’s got a 2021 Champions League title with the club to remember his time by. 

Pulisic will now join the budding AC Milan team with stars like Portuguese star attacker Rafael Leao in its lineup.

Pulisic’s new squad clinched its first title since 2011 in 2022 with the Serie A championship.

While AC Milan fell to fourth place in Serie A last season, the team put up a fight in the UEFA Champions League semifinals where Inter ultimately ousted them. 

AC Milan is back in action on July 23 against Real Madrid.