The media reports would have you believe that it wasn’t always a guarantee, but AC Milan have finally found an agreement with Francesco Camarda over a renewal.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport reports, it is too early to know for sure that Camarda will be decisive at the highest level, but there is no doubting that the path he is on is a very exciting one after he made his Serie A debut before he had even turned 16.
Soon, Milan will be able to announce that the striker has put pen to paper on a new three-year deal, keeping him at the club until 2027.
No to Manchester
Milan have had him since 2015, when he arrived at the training complex with his dad after starting out with Afforese. His father is always with him and Milan will also remain in his life.
After troubled months, with offers from many big European clubs, an agreement has been reached: Milan and Camarda will soon sign a three-year contract, his first as a pro. There will just about be enough time to return from Cyprus and pick up the pen.
It is an outcome that was strongly desired by Francesco, who said no to the two Manchester clubs and Borussia Dortmund, who were very determined to sign him. Camarda will sign for three years starting from July 1st, a contract that will end in summer 2027.
The growth plan is defined: Francesco will play in the Under 23s in 2023-24 and will have direct contact with the first team. A detail of his contract speaks clearly: he will provide bonuses for goals and appearances with Milan, the senior team, in Serie A and the Champions League.
Mattia Liberali, the playmaker compared to Phil Foden who had a great U17 European Championship too, could follow him closely.
The MVP
Camarda was voted best player of the European Championship after he scored four goals in five games, a total of 444 minutes. He scored twice in the groups and netted the decisive penalty against England in the quarter-finals.
Playing with those his age (or nearly) cannot help but seem like a simplification to him. Camarda was born in 2008 and in the Primavera he plays regularly against opponents born in 2005.
In the few minutes he played in Serie A – the youngest ever in the history of the league – he faced players born in 1989 (Bonaventura) and 1993 (Duncan) up close. Slightly younger than his parents.
The challenge now is to continue climbing, to see this great Cypriot evening as a starting point, not a point of arrival. Those who know him guarantee it won’t go to his head.
In fact, even after the game he remained grounded, stating in an interview with UEFA: “I’m enjoying the party, but I’m already thinking about the next goal. A dedication? To the family and to those who supported me.”
Getting excited would be a huge mistake, because the world of football stops for nobody. Lamine Yamal, who is just a year older, is a decisive player for Spain and Barcelona. There is always someone more phenomenal than you.