AC Milan have lost one of the pillars of the Primavera side as Clinton Nsiala will join Glasgow Rangers this summer on a free transfer, it has been confirmed.
Footmercato report that Nsiala’s performances for Milan in the league and above all in the UEFA Youth League caught the eye of many European clubs who are attracted by his profile and his contract situation.
Having been part of the academy at FC Nantes, the former France U16 international was scouted by Milan who integrated him into their Primavera side. He was on the verge of the first team this season, but ended up playing the entire season with Ignazio Abate’s team (30 games, three goals and two assists).
At 20 years old, Nsiala has decided to leave Milan to take the next step in his career, despite a contract extension being offered to him. He will leave on a free and there are several clubs are in the running as Monza, Empoli, Hamburger SV and Stuttgart have made some contacts with his entourage.
However, it is Rangers – who scouted the player on numerous occasions – that have won the race, as they confirmed on their official website. Nsiala is attracted by the prospect of playing for a club that could feature in the next Champions League and by getting more first team minutes.
He will officially join the club on July 1 subject to international clearance and a successful work permit application.
Rangers’ Director of Recruitment, Nils Koppen: “We are excited to add a talented young player in Clinton to the squad. He joins as an exciting talent who we believe can develop and take his next steps under our manager, Philippe Clement, and his staff. We look forward to welcoming Clinton to Glasgow as we continue to shape the squad ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.”
couldve easily gotten 1-2M for him
gg pioli ,gg menagement
How disappointing! I watched the knockout rounds of the youth cup and he was mighty impressive, perhaps even more so than Simic.
He is quick and skillful. Shame he could not have been integrated. At 20yo he wants 1st team football, which is understandable, I just don’t get why in Italy they are 25yo by the time they get a chance
Spot on! I rated him higher than Simic too. Simic tends to move out of position waaaay too often for a CB. Plus I’m sure Nsiala was disappointed not to get called up in the first team during our centre back injury crisis. Makes total sense to me at this stage of his career to try to get first team minutes
And this will be swept under the rug like nothing happened? Another gem leaving on the free, lesson not learned.
Sometimes I wonder if Milan literally are only Scaroni, Zlatan, Montana and that ither guy, plus a coach and some trainers, and if they don’t have time to deal with it, it’s all Abates problem to keep then happy.
Why do promising players leave on a free transfer? Are we just bad at recognizing potential? Or are we terrified of ending up having to pay a few tens of thousands in salary to a youth player for a year longer than absolutely needed? It’s weird… players below 18 who can’t be tied down on co tracts mist have some sort of liaison that balances football and career with family and private life, and bridges it financially and with a clear path to a shot at firdt team football st Milan or a loan-based late development from first professional contract. It seems there’s a gap.
It’s not only a Milan problem, it’s a Serie A problem. Only something like a transfer ban would force the hands of Serie A clubs and make them play their youth team players. It’s one of the reasons so many young players play in France, most French clubs don’t have a lot of money so have to develop their own talent.
From ChatGPT:
From the most recent data available for the 2022-2023 season, Ligue 1 gives the most minutes to players aged 21 and under among Europe’s top five leagues. Here is the breakdown of the average percentage of minutes given to young players in each league:
Ligue 1: 16.7%
Bundesliga: 12.4%
Serie A: 9.4%
La Liga: 7.6%
Premier League: 6.4%