AC Milan are expected to bolster their youth sector with the signing of talented forward Edoardo Zanaga from Empoli.
According to Lorenzo Canicchio of Gazzetta Regionale (via MilanVibes, and confirmed by several other outlets), Milan are very close to signing Zanaga. The two clubs are currently exchanging documents, which suggests an announcement is imminent.
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The figures reported by Nicolò Schira are €300,000 for the player’s transfer plus bonuses, with a percentage of any future resale. Zanaga will sign a contract with the Diavolo until 2029 with an option for another year, and will initially play for Milan Primavera.
Why Milan struck a deal
Zanaga plays as a centre-forward or second striker, but can also play as a right winger. He possesses good physical strength, which allows him to be adept at shielding the ball.
As reported by Sprint and Sport, the 2008-born player has stated that he draws inspiration from Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Zanaga demonstrated his eye for goal in the Empoli youth team, one of his key attributes.
He played for SCA Asti when younger and was snapped up by Juventus, who included him in their youth team. Zanaga bagged hat-trick with their Under 15 team against Alessandria, then in the summer of 2022 he went to Empoli.
After breaking the deadlock in a match against Roma with the Tuscan U16 team, he went on a run of eight goals in nine games, playing just 543 minutes. This positive streak awarded him the title of best player in Group C.
In the 2024-25 season he suffered an injury that forced him to stay out of the field for a few months, then upon his return from the break he returned to scoring goals with the Under 17s.
Last season he made his debut for Empoli’s Primavera team in the match against Monopoli on 13 September 2025, before scoring his first goal in the Primavera 2-B against Salernitana in Empoli’s 5-0 victory in December 2025.
At the end of September 2025, Edoardo made his debut for the Empoli First Team against Genoa in the Second Round of the Coppa Italia, coming on in the second half and playing just over half an hour.
For the Italian youth national teams, Edoardo Zanaga has made 11 appearances and scored one goal with the Italy Under 15s, has one goal with the Under 16s and one goal in five appearances with the Italy Under 18s, scored against Austria.
Zlatanale