Kyle Walker, the captain of Manchester City, signed a loan deal with AC Milan for the remainder of the season.the two teams confirmed on Friday.
In a statement, Milan stated that they also have the option to purchase the England right-back, Walker, who is estimated by Sky Italy to cost approximately 4.2 million pounds ($5.24 million).
The 34-year-old last played in City’s 4-1 Premier League triumph against West Ham United on January 4th, and he has made 319 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s team.
Walker signed a three-year deal in 2023, although he still has 18 months left on his City contract. Walker joined the Etihad from Tottenham Hotspur in 2017.
“Signing for this incredible club in 2017 was a dream come true,” he said on his social media accounts.
“Seven years later, winning 17 trophies, including the Champions League and the famous treble is something I could only have dreamt as a child.
“To Pep, thank you for believing in me and working so hard to bring me here in 2017.
“Together, we’ve celebrated 17 trophies, and your guidance has helped shape me into the player I am today. I’ll be forever grateful”.
Walker did not participate in City’s FA Cup third-round thumping of Salford City, which ended 8-0 on January 11.
Guardiola claimed that the defender was instructed to “explore options to play abroad.”
Despite playing in all six of City’s Premier League victories under Guardiola, he departs amid a string of disappointing performances for the English champions, who face elimination from the Champions League following their collapse in a 4-2 loss at Paris St. Germain on Wednesday.
Liverpool leads the Premier League with a game in hand, while City is currently 12 points behind them in fifth place.
After playing every minute in Germany, where the Three Lions lost to Spain in the tournament, Walker, who has 93 caps, was the only player from England to be selected in the Euro 2024 squad.
During the Euros, he was part of England’s leadership team.
Walker’s exit coincides with City’s hectic transfer season.
On Wednesday, they brought in Uzbekistan defender Abdukodir Khusanov and 19-year-old Brazilian defender Vitor Reis before signing Egypt forward Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt.
