Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker has completed his loan move to Serie A team AC Milan this Thursday, according to The Athletic.
Manager Pep Guardiola himself said that the veteran defender approached him in 2023 to request a transfer away from the club, but the Spanish gaffer persuaded him to remain at the club for another season.
Now, Manchester City has granted him his wish. Walker will join AC Milan until the end of the season, with the Italians having an option to buy the player. It was also reported that AC Milan agreed a deal with Manchester United winger Marcus Rashford, but rules allowing only one signing from the UK per transfer window meant the deal was called off.
Walker today posted a 200+ word thank you message on his Instagram account, suggesting he will no longer play for Manchester City as his contract runs out in 2027:
“Manchester City… where do I start? Signing for this incredible club in 2017 was a dream come true. Seven years later, winning 17 trophies, including the Champions League and the famous treble is something I could only have dreamt as a child.”
He went on to thank the club, the staff, the fans, and his wife Annie:
“Your unwavering support, week in, week out, home and away, will never be forgotten. I wish you all constant success going forward. Thank you, Kyle.”
He spent eight seasons at the club, signing from Tottenham Hotspur in 2017 for 45 million GBP. He made 316 appearances at City and will undoubtedly leave as a club legend, being their mainstay right back during their best-ever periods of success.
Manchester City has had a busy January with both incoming and outgoings, signing defenders Vitor Reis and Abduokodir Khusanov for a combined 64 million GBP. They also signed Bundesliga breakout talent Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt for 59 million GBP.