AC Milan are hoping to soon be able to officially announce the registration of an U23 team in Serie C, with a significant investment planned.
According to Calcio e Finanza, Milan are preparing to put on the table a total investment of €12m for the second team project. This is the amount that will be budgeted for the construction of the Under 23s, including operating costs.
The Rossoneri are waiting for the formal green light from the FIGC to give life to the project. The team would play in Serie C from 2024-25, becoming the third club (after Juventus and Atalanta) to have an Under 23 team.
The division between the two teams would only be in name, because the plan is to create a large group of 50/55 players across the first team and U23s which ‘should be considered as one’. The first team coach will thus have an overall ‘pool’ of players to draw from.
The composition of the U23 staff and the management group will be in line with the requests of the Lega Pro licenses and this group will work in total synergy with the management of the first team, with a100% shared vision regarding the profiles of the players to use.
The guidelines and playing style of the U23 will be aligned with the Milan style (from the Academy to the first team, same sporting vision and same playing principles). The overall investment – as mentioned – will be around €12m, with the belief that the cost will pay for itself with medium-term returns.
The Rossoneri intends to take charge of any improvements to the facility where the U23s will play, to create a stadium that is up to par. It is likely to be the Stadio Solbiate Arno, for which Milan made over €700k available in order to make the necessary improvements for Serie C.
This is great 🙂
“the plan is to create a large group of 50/55 players across the first team and U23s ”
What’s this mean?
Does that mean the first team will have say/hopefully 25 and the U23s will have another say/hopefully another 25?
And will players be able to move between the squads mid season, or will those other 25 players be locked in Serie C for whole seasons?
The squad sizes are key to giving youth players and all players game time. It’s not going to work if the squad sizes are too big or there isn’t the ability for U23s to be exposed to Serie A.
Of course they can be used in between the two teams. Basically the u23 will be used as a development team but also a team where we can keep some of the fringe players of the squad fit when needed.