AC Milan complete Malick Thiaw transfer from Schalke

AC Milan have confirmed the signing of German defender Malick Thiaw from Schalke for a fee around €7m.

The 21-year-old completed his medical examinations on Monday and arrives having helped the German side return to the Bundesliga after a season in the second division. He will bolster Stefano Pioli’s defence, with Pierre Kalulu and Fikayo Tomori starting the recent 2-0 win over Bologna.

Thiaw has signed a five-year contract and will wear the 28 shirt.

Milan’s statement reads: “AC Milan is delighted to announce that Malick Thiaw has joined the Club on a permanent basis from FC Schalke 04. The German defender has signed a deal with the Rossoneri lasting until 30 June 2027.

“Thiaw, who was born in Düsseldorf on 8 August 2001, honed his footballing talents in the youth systems of Fortuna Düsseldorf, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Mönchengladbach and Schalke. He made his professional debut with Die Königsblauen in 2020 and went on to make 61 appearances for the club from Gelsenkirchen, scoring three goals.”He has made eight appearances and scored two goals with Germany U21, and won the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in 2021.”