AC Milan midfielder, Nora Heroum, has officially left the club. The confirmation came via a statement she released earlier today announcing her departure.
The announcement was first made on Instagram, and then posted on Twitter.
#ForzaMilan, sempre! ❤️🖤 pic.twitter.com/GniRAtQorY
— Nora Heroum (@NoraHeroum) July 2, 2020
Heroum’s announcement confirms earlier reports that she was set to leave the team. Though the player had initially wanted to stay at Milan, unfortunately, neither her nor her agent was able to find an agreement with the team.
It was then decided that she would not renew her contract and that she would ply her trade elsewhere.
Heroum first came to Milan after the team bought Brescia’s license. The Rossoneri purchased the license in order to fulfill the requirement that the men’s teams must also field a women’s team. She was one of ten players who were transferred to the club after Milan acquired the Biancazzurri’s license.
The midfielder has played a total of 35 matches for Milan and has scored a total of two goals (fbref).
The player is quite versatile, as she can slot into the midfield, or play in defense as a fullback. Her best role, however, will always be that of a midfielder. The Finnish international seemed to function best as a mezzala, as she was heralded for her deft first touches that contributed to Milan’s attack.
However, though she seemed to be functioning well within Milan’s system, there was also the sense that the team didn’t know what to do with her. This was also the reason why she was shuffled between the midfield, the attack, and the defense. She also seemed to suffer in any role other than that of a midfielder.
The fact that they were unsure of what to do with her is perhaps what led to her departure.
Since Serie A Femminile is not a professional league, the players are not bound by official contracts. The players are free to leave at the end of the season if they do not sign any renewals. So essentially, Heroum will be leaving the team on a free transfer.
It is not known where she will play next. Nora’s next team remains a mystery at the moment, but there are reports that she may end up playing in England next season.
Though it is sad to see Nora go, the Milanisti can take comfort in knowing that the team has a plan in place to replace the outgoing players.
The current crop of outgoing players are being released to make way for players that will improve the quality of the team. Milan wants to make a serious run for the Scudetto and qualify for next season’s Champions League. The team will only be able to meet their objectives if they improve the overall quality of their squad.
Milan also has a proven track record of adequately replacing their departing players. The recruitment of players like Dominika Čonč, Refiloe Jane, and Deborah Salvatori Rinaldi would attest to this, as all three players were signed as replacements for all the players that left last season.
All three will sign renewals with the team too.
Heroum will, unfortunately, not remain with them in Milan, and she will most certainly be missed. She has become a fan-favourite among the Rossoneri for the past two years, and we’ll certainly miss her ‘smile and fire’.
All the best for your future, Nora. And may we see you again someday.
