ESPNJ13. Jul 2023 1:08pm ET3 minute read
Pulisic “accepts” AC Milan’s challenge and bemoans lack of chances at Chelsea
Christian Pulisic says he is “looking forward to a new challenge” at AC Milan after closing a chapter with Chelsea.
AC Milan have completed the signing of USA striker Christian Pulisic from Chelsea, the Serie A club announced on Thursday.
Facing out competition from Juventus, Lyon and Galatasaray, Milan signed the player after getting closer to Chelsea’s transfer valuation of £20m ($25.9m) last weekend, sources told ESPN.
ESPN reported on June 30 that Pulisic had agreed terms in principle with Milan and was willing to take a significant pay cut to facilitate a move.
Lyon had also made an offer to Chelsea, sources told ESPN, but Pulisic turned down the chance to join the French side, believing it was the wrong move for his career.
Pulisic is the third American to play for Milan, after defenders Oguchi Onyewu and Sergiño Dest, who were on loan from Barcelona to San Siro last season.
“I am very happy to be here. I’m excited. I’m looking forward to starting at this historic club,” Pulisic told reporters waiting for him at Milan’s Malpensa Airport on Wednesday before undergoing his medical. “It’s legendary and I’m really excited to come here and try to win some titles here.”
Christian Pulisic poses for photos with fans before signing a contract with AC Milan Getty Images
Milan, owned by American investment firm RedBird Capital Partners, are seven-time European champions and won the last of their 19 Serie A titles in 2022. The Rossoneri lost to city rivals Inter Milan in the Champions League semifinals last season.
The deal ends Pulisic’s time in the Premier League. He joined Chelsea from Borussia Dortmund for €64m in 2018 but has been hampered by injuries.
Pulisic made 145 appearances in four seasons for Chelsea in which he was part of the club’s Champions League-winning side in 2021. He also helped win the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup later that same year.
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During that time, Pulisic shone at international level, twice leading the USMNT to victory in the Concacaf Nations League and guiding the team to the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup.
His tenure at Chelsea has been dwindling as the club signed several attacking players over the past year, including Mykhailo Mudryk, Raheem Sterling and Christopher Nkunku.
Pulisic joins former Chelsea team-mate Ruben Loftus-Cheek at Milan and becomes the 14th senior player to leave Stamford Bridge since the end of last season.
With the departure of Pulisic, Chelsea have now raked in more than £200m ($258.7m) in outgoing transfers this summer.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.