AC Milan have confirmed the signing of Charles De Ketelaere from Club Brugge on a five-year contract. The 21-year-old has been linked with a move to San Siro all summer long, with Leeds and Leicester also reportedly in the race for his services.
However, De Ketelaere's future has now been decided, with Milan set to pay €32 million ($33m/£27m) plus €3m in add-ons.
He becomes the Rossoneri's fourth signing of the transfer window after Junior Messias and Alessandro Florenzi made their loan switches permanent, and Divock Origi arrived on a free transfer from Liverpool.
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What did Milan say about De Keteleare's signing?
"AC Milan is delighted to announce the signing of Charles De Ketelaere from Club Brugge FC," a club statement read.
"The player has signed a contract until 30 June 2027 and will wear the number 90 jersey. Born in Bruges on 10 March 2001, Charles grew up in the Club Bruges Youth Sector before making his debut for the club in 2019.
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"Since then he has made 120 appearances and scored 25 goals, winning the Belgian League three times and Super Cup twice. In November 2020, he made his debut for the Belgian national team and has since played for them eight times and scored once."
How will De Ketelaere fit in at Milan?
De Ketelaere has become Milan's most expensive signing since Franck Kessie, whose loan move from Atalanta was made permanent back in 2019.
Stefano Pioli has favoured a 4-2-3-1 formation at San Siro so far and the Belgian should slot in well at the number 10 spot, though he is also capable of playing out wide if required.
De Ketelaere will be in contention to make his Milan debut against Udinese in 11 days time, when his new side's Serie A campaign kicks off.
