July 14, (THEWILL) – Fresh from his exploits in the Euro 2020 and as THEWILL reported earlier, Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has arrived in France ahead of his deal to move to Paris Saint-Germain. The free agent’s contract with AC Milan lapsed at the end of last season allowing him to decide for himself where to continue his career.
After deciding not to renew the contract, the 22-year-old’s is switching football in Italy for the bright lights of Les Parisiens and he arrived at the PSG headquarters on Wednesday to finalise the deal before an inevitable announcement as the new goalkeeper for the former Ligue 1 champions.
The deal he has signed is a five-year contract to keep the Italian national hero at the club until the summer of 2026. His goalkeeping at the Euros endeared him to many Italians as the vital penalties he kept out in the semi-final and final shootouts gave Italy victory.
The keeper ended the competition as the Player of the Tournament for Euro 2020 as a whole. This easily confirmed his place among the very best goalkeepers in the world. The Milan fans will be the most pained with his exit as they watched him grow but must now watch him play elsewhere.
Donnarumma knew this and before leaving, he wrote to the fans personally to thank them for the support and say why it was necessary for him to leave. He wrote: “Some decisions are difficult to make, but they are part of the development of a man. I joined Milan when I was a boy, I wore that shirt with pride for eight years. We fought, we suffered, won, cried together and celebrated together; unbelievable years that I will never forget.
“Now it is time for me to say goodbye, a decision which wasn’t easy for me to make and this letter can never be enough to fully explain why – maybe I will never be able to do so, because the deepest feelings can never be expressed in words alone.
“What I can say, is that sometimes it is good to have a change and confront new challenges, grow and fulfil yourself. Everyone in the Rossonero family will be a fundamental part of the path I am about to take, and who made me who I am.
“I wish Milan every possible success and I say that from the heart; for the affection that connects me to Milan’s colours, a feeling that time and distance can never erase.”
As soon as all the details are sorted out, the French giants will make the deal public.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
