Kyle Walker has officially joined the Rossoneri in the final week of the 2025 winter transfer window. This is a deal that is both surprising and not surprising. Walker is 35 years old and has failed to hold a starting spot in the Manchester City squad. However, he still has a contract for more than a year and can choose to stay, receive a salary and find a new destination in the summer of 2026.
One of the reasons why Walker has decided to sign for AC Milan's future is that he cannot compete for a starting position despite wearing the captain's armband. This has been Pep Guardiola's most difficult season in the last 8 years at the Etihad. A player who has been on the other side of his career like Walker is no longer very useful on the pitch.
When choosing Milan as his destination, Walker could not hide his excitement to prove himself. The Rossoneri have put a buy-in clause for the English star after this summer, so if he can prove his worth, Walker will have a new chapter that is not bad at the end of his peak career.
In front of reporters in Italy on his debut for AC Milan, Walker shared about his final days at Man City and his new ambitions when he joined the powerful Milan team.
"The end of my time at Man City was not really beautiful as I didn't play much. The reason I joined this great team is to want to show myself more, thereby helping Milan win more.
When I spoke to Pep Guardiola about this decision, the discussion was not really comfortable. It happened out of respect for each other. What Pep had at Manchester City, I have fully participated in. I want Pep to understand that in addition to my expertise, I have other values in the dressing room and my positivity off the pitch.
Manchester City is my family. The people there, from the cleaning staff, the doctors to the chefs, are all very familiar. During my time there, I was loved and supported by everyone a lot. However, in terms of expertise, I did not play much. Hopefully everything can be changed here" - Kyle Walker shared on his Milan debut day.
When asked about the choice to stay at Man City for 18 months of his contract, Walker shared that it was not a bad choice but the desire to prove that he was the one who pushed him to Milan.
"I could very well choose to stay at Man City until the end of my contract. However, when I think back, I find choosing new challenges for life much more interesting. I felt the need to look for big differences. When talking to the former England players, they all shared the same view of wishing to play abroad once in their careers to experience. Now, I have that opportunity.
If I hadn't gone to a big club, it would be difficult for me to find the experience I had when playing for Manchester City. Therefore, when a team like AC Milan calls for help, I cannot refuse because this opportunity does not appear much. It's what I want to have," said Kyle Walker.
