This morning, Atalanta confirmed that Charles de Ketelaere has joined the club permanently following his loan spell from AC Milan.
The Belgian’s arrival was the big news of the mercato two summers ago, but it is fair to say that he failed to hit the ground running for Milan. Given the pressures of his arrival, though, it could be suggested that this was to be expected with his age and the step up in the league.
Therefore, it was deemed that a loan move would be the correct step forward for his development, and Atalanta took a chance, and it is fair to say it has paid off.
Under Gian Piero Gasperini, the Belgian attacker has looked reborn, with a newfound confidence, something that was missing at Milan and something he has admitted in the past. However, the Bergamo club got the player who shone in the Belgian league, not the timid attacker who struggled in his debut season in Italy.
Included in the loan deal was an option to buy De Ketelaere permanently, and today, Atalanta have confirmed that they have taken the option, as expected, on their website, and their statement reads as follows:
“Atalanta BC are pleased to announce that the option to fully acquire the registration rights of footballer Charles De Ketelaere has been exercised.
“The Belgian striker fully met expectations during his loan spell with the Nerazzurri, scoring 14 goals and providing 11 assists in 50 appearances for Atalanta in all competitions (Serie A TIM, UEFA Europa League and Coppa Italia Frecciarossa) in the 2023/24 season.
“The Percassi and Pagliuca families and the whole Club are delighted with Charles’ stay and wish him all the best – both personally and as a player – as he continues his sporting career in Bergamo.”
Whilst it is frustrating that the Diavolo did not see the same attacker that La Dea saw, it means their summer budget has already been boosted.
And tomorrow he’ll be sold to Leeds or Everton or some other low level epl team for 60 mil lol
And we’ll get 6M€.
the bankers and computer experts gave them a 2 million discount and removed the resale clause like a bunch of tools, so there will be no 10% if they sell.
And you believe that? Lol.
The trusted sources like Romano and MN say the resale clause is still there, but you choose to trust CM because that fit your agenda.
So much for a “Milan Fan”. Smh
Just because the anti-management guys keep repeating the same lie doesn’t make it true. The resale clause is still there. Like it or not.
The resale clause was not removed.
The resale clause was never removed. Use your brain.
No, he won’t. Everton have no money and Leeds aren’t in the EPL.
just a joke fellas, sheesh tough crowd
Have to praise how decisive Atalanta in this deal. They know the negotiations will be at risk if dragged through the Euro. Worst scenario for them is they lost the obligations by deadline, and CDK perform well. So they wrapped it up as soon as they possibly can. Kudos.
One deadwood is gone
You mean the EL-winner?
Pioli used him as deadwood. Gasperini used him to win EL.
Good deal for everyone!
Hope CDK does well, Atalanta will represent Italy well in Europe and Milan have their money back to reinvest in a more suitable profile (money that has been tied up in CDK for 2 years).
We can’t afford to have such expensive purchases playing for another team
Next time I hope follow through on their scouting work
Moncada’s scouting of CDK was good, too bad back then we don’t have the coach to bring out CDK’s talent.
Seriously?
He was completely the wrong player for what we needed
Good. Now can we finally see some new, exciting faces in red and black too?
With good perform Last season Atalanta still want discount and for bad News our Management agree because we have good relationship They say,fool 2 time
Except there’s no discount at all, as reported by Matteo Moretto.
Sad to see that his tenure didn’t work out with us, but at least it would not be a loss in the books. The management also did well to resist any attempts for discount/removal of the future clause, which would probably ensure more profits in the future as Atalanta is a darn good seller.
Best of luck, Charles.
Good. Happy for him. This is one of those transfers you say, “no hard feelings” from all parties.
One of the very few transfers that initially went horribly for Milan (for a debatable reason) but still managed to conclude the matter without a capital loss. I’ll give credit to the people that believed CDKs purchase was worth it because with the players reputation and age you were hardly going to lose much even he didn’t work out for Milan. This is why it’s better to often go for top talents even if they’d cost more. Milan are now in a position to attract them. Barca Bayern Madrid etc would often sell their rejects for profit because the players are known to have something in them that may work well elsewhere. Not like when you’d get cheap talents from nowhere for the sake of getting there before others. Now the socalled talent failed and you want to get rid off but no one ever heard of the players before so no club are willing to bet on them. I give equal credit to the people that acted quickly enough to make sure the club don’t lose much more. Not all transfers work even when the player ,team , coach and environment are generally good.
Btw I’m no Maldini Moncada Galliani or whatsoever supporter I don’t care about individuals or any particular management even thou Maldini is my all time Milan favorite I find it annoying that people must stick with one side regardless
Good . No discount ,no removing resale clause. In future atalanta will sell him to EPL club with high price & ACM will get 10% . Now time to reinvest that money again for striker
Milan have to sell first if they want to buy some, coz milan have no money..