Fulham have confirmed the signing of winger Samuel Chukwueze from AC Milan. The Nigeria international, 26, has joined on a season-long loan with the option of a permanent move. He was on Fulham’s radar during the January transfer window and the club maintained their interest in him. Chukwueze moved to Milan from Villarreal in 2023. “I feel at home already and I can’t wait to get started,” he told Fulham’s website.
Ethan Nwaneri played his part in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over AC Milan in the Singapore National Stadium on Wednesday, and afterwards said he is excited for what is to come this season. Three of our summer signings all made their first outings for the side, while several academy players were also involved. After the game Ethan said: “I think it’s a good start from the team, we’re ready to keep pushing and training and working hard. “It was hard, it was tough, but you need to do it in pre-season to get fit, so I think it was good and I enjoyed it.” Ethan came close to opening the scoring in the first half, with a crisp drive that was well saved just as it was heading into the bottom corner. Arsenal got the winner in the second half though, by which time Martin Zubimendi and Kepa Arrizabalaga had come on for their non-competitive debuts, after Christian Norgaard had impressed in the first-half. Ethan said the squad is are shaping up well ahead of the new campaign. “Yes, I think all the signings we’ve made have been brilliant and sharpening the team and making us even stronger. We’ve got some more back at home coming, so we’re ready for them to all come and build together.”
Milan are in talks with Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface. The Nigerian came close to leaving his Bundesliga club in January after reaching an agreement to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassri, but they instead opted to sign Jhon Duran. Bayer Leverkusen would have collected around €60m to sell Boniface to Al-Nassr in January and although no figures have been mentioned regarding Milan’s finances, the 24-year-old holds a Transfermarkt value of €40m. But as reported last month, Bayer Leverkusen appear open to selling Boniface this summer and hope to receive around €50m. Speaking to Bild, Emefie Aneke Atta, agent of Boniface, said: “Victor has ended the season after his trip to the national team. He’s on vacation now, will train hard during his vacation, and then return for preseason. There’s a new coach, a new setup, but still a very good team that’s back in the Champions League. Victor and I have never discussed a transfer.” As reported by Tavolieri, Boniface has opened the door to a permanent move’ to Milan. It’s also unclear as to how the former Union SG forward features in Erik ten Hag’s plans with the Dutchman’s preferred No. 9 being Patrik Schick, while the club are working on a deal for Christian Kofane.
AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze has admitted that the 2024-25 season has been the worst of his career, in terms of team performance. The campaign did not start off the way that Milan hoped and they were forced into a coaching change in December, with Sergio Conceicao replacing Paolo Fonseca. He won a trophy after just a few days, namely the Supercoppa Italiana out in Saudi Arabia. Things only went downhill from there, with elimination in the Champions League against Feyenoord being the biggest disappointment. Conceicao’s side ended up finishing eighth place in Serie A and lost the Coppa Italia final against Bologna. Thus, the decision was made to enact some big changes ahead of 2025-26. Igli Tare came in as the sporting director one week ago, with Massimiliano Allegri’s return as head coach having been confirmed on Friday. Chukwueze was a guest on Victor Modo‘s podcast and he made some revealing comments about how he views the season that has just ended, though he did also praise the loyalty of the Milan fans. “Last season is something we don’t really want to talk about. It was a bad season for the Milan fans and for everyone involved. Honestly, it’s one of the worst seasons of my professional career. I’m not going to lie – we didn’t win anything, I didn’t play much, even though I had the stats. “We crashed out of the Champions League, lost in the cup, fell short in the league – everything just went wrong. It was a tough season, with injuries, changing the coach, bringing in a new one. It was all upside down. “The Milan fans are some of the best in the world. They truly deserve better. They travel with us in the rain, and even when it’s freezing, you see them taking off their shirts, chanting and showing unwavering support. “Unfortunately, we let them down this season. I hope next season will be much better in Milan — winning the Scudetto, the Coppa Italia, and securing Champions League qualification to make up for everything,” he assured.
Former Super Eagles’ and AC Milan defender, Taye Taiwo on Wednesday celebrated his 40th birthday. The defender born 16 April 1985 took to his Instagram field to announce his new age. “Happy birthday to me. “Nigeria always. Alhamdulilah. “Joyeux anniversaire a moi (Meaning; Happy birthday to me.) Taye Taiwo featured for Nigeria between 2004 and 2012. He played 53 games for the national team and scored 5 goals. He won many laurels with the national teams which includes; a silver medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, African Youth Championship Trophy and also a silver medal at the Netherlands 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship.
Nigerian forward Samuel Chukwueze netted the winning goal as AC Milan staged a dramatic late comeback to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory over Parma at San Siro. The Rossoneri, who had been trailing 2-1 until the 91st minute, managed to turn the game on its head in the dying moments, with defender Strahinja Pavlovic playing a crucial role as an improvised striker. The match began with Parma taking an early lead through Matteo Cancellieri, who capitalized on a slip by Theo Hernandez to curl a beautiful shot into the far corner. Milan equalized before halftime when Christian Pulisic converted a penalty after Parma’s goalkeeper Zion Suzuki fouled Pavlovic in the box. Parma regained the lead in the second half through Enrico Delprato, following a swift counter-attack. As the clock ticked down, Milan’s hopes seemed to be fading, especially after VAR ruled out what appeared to be an equalizer from Pavlovic for offside in the 88th minute. However, the Rossoneri refused to give up. Tijjani Reijnders leveled the score at 2-2 in the dying minutes, latching onto a through ball and calmly slotting past Suzuki. With Parma reeling, Milan pushed for the winner, and it was the unlikely figure of Pavlovic who made the difference. In a bold tactical move, manager Sergio Conceicao had pushed the Serbian defender forward as an extra attacker. The gamble paid off in spectacular fashion when Pavlovic nodded down a cross from Bartesaghi, allowing Chukwueze to bundle the ball over the line for a dramatic 3-2 victory. The win comes as a relief for Milan, who had been struggling in Serie A recently despite good performances in other competitions. It also sets up an intriguing Derby della Madonnina against Inter next week, although they will be without the suspended Youssouf Fofana for that crucial encounter.
AC Milan named Sergio Conceicao as their new coach within hours of sacking fellow Portuguese Paulo Fonseca on Monday after just six months in charge. Fonseca paid the price for the Italian giants’ inability to mount a Serie A title challenge. “Sergio Paulo Marceneiro da Conceicao has been appointed as the Head Coach of the men’s First Team until 30 June 2026,” Milan said in a statement. Conceicao, 50, was available after ending a seven-year stint with Porto in June this year having guided them to three league titles and four Portuguese Cup successes. His only head coaching experience outside of Portugal was a season with Ligue 1 side Nantes, although he knows Serie A having played for Lazio in two spells, Parma and Inter Milan from 1998-2004. Conceicao has shown extraordinary character to rise to the heights he has. The 56-times capped winger once contemplated quitting the sport after losing his father, mother and younger brother while still a teenager. Fonseca, 51, had pre-empted the announcement of his dismissal by saying he had been fired as he left the San Siro following his press conference after the draw with AS Roma on Sunday. The 1-1 draw was the sixth of the season and left Milan in seventh spot, eight points off Lazio in the fourth and final Champions League place, and also a massive 13 adrift of city rivals Inter, who are in third spot and challenging for the title. In a statement, Milan thanked Fonseca for his “great professionalism”. Milan, the seven-time European champions, have been battling inconsistent form and anger from their supporters.
Nigeria forward Lookman continued his superb form by nodding in his 10th goal of the campaign with three minutes remaining at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo. The 27-year-old met Sead Kolasinac’s flick-on from a corner to give Atalanta a club-record equalling ninth straight win in Italy’s top flight and further boost hopes of a first-ever Scudetto for the traditionally small, provincial club. Alvaro Morata had looked to have earned seventh-placed Milan a point in a fiery atmosphere with his 22nd-minute leveller after former Rossoneri flop Charles De Ketelaere had crashed Atalanta ahead in the 12th minute with a thumping header. Napoli host Lazio on Sunday night and Antonio Conte’s team will have to beat the team who knocked them out of the Italian Cup if they are to reclaim their narrow league lead. Atalanta now turn their attentions to Tuesday’s visit of Real Madrid in the Champions League when they can strengthen their case for direct qualification for the last 16 and get revenge for defeat in the European Super Cup in August.
