RAFAEL LEãO BIDS FAREWELL TO AC MILAN AFTER SEVEN YEARS

Rafael Leão has confirmed his departure from AC Milan after seven seasons with the Italian giants, bringing an end to a successful spell that saw him develop into one of Serie A’s most prominent attacking players.

The Portuguese forward announced his departure after Milan’s 2-0 victory over Venezia on Friday, revealing that he had already said goodbye to his teammates. Although he did not feature in the match, the occasion marked an emotional farewell to the club where he spent much of his career.

“It’s a tough moment saying goodbye to my teammates after seven years,” Leão said after the game, while expressing his lasting affection for the Rossoneri.

The 27-year-old joined Milan from French club Lille in 2019 and went on to make 291 appearances, scoring 80 goals and providing 65 assists during his time at San Siro.

One of the highlights of Leão’s Milan career came during the 2021/22 Serie A campaign, when he played an important role in the club’s Scudetto-winning season.

His performances also earned him the Serie A Most Valuable Player award, further establishing his reputation as one of Europe’s exciting attacking talents.

Leão’s departure comes after a difficult final period at Milan, with the club missing out on Champions League qualification last season and the forward facing questions over his consistency and overall production.

Milan have since begun a rebuilding process under new head coach Ruben Amorim, with the club making significant changes to its squad during the summer transfer window.

Leão is expected to continue his career with Galatasaray, with reports indicating that the Turkish champions have agreed a deal worth around €45 million for the Portuguese international.

The transfer will take Leão to Turkey after seven years in Italy, giving him an opportunity to experience a new league and challenge himself in a different football environment.

Galatasaray's pursuit of the winger intensified during the final stages of the transfer window, with the Turkish champions eventually winning the race despite interest from Premier League side Aston Villa.

Leão's exit represents the end of an important chapter for both the player and Milan. He arrived in Italy as a promising young attacker and leaves having established himself as one of the club's most recognisable players of the modern era.

The Portuguese star has also thanked Milan and its supporters for their role in his development, promising to continue following the club even after his departure.

For Milan, his exit marks another major change as Amorim continues reshaping the squad and attempting to return the club to the top of Italian and European football.

For Leão, the move to Galatasaray offers the chance to begin a fresh chapter after seven seasons in Serie A, with the forward now expected to face a new challenge in Turkish football.