Official: Thiaw joins Milan from Schalke on a five-year deal | OneFootball

Malick Thiaw officially at Milan. (@acmilan.com)

Malick Thiaw is officially a new player of Milan, joining on a permanent deal.

Milan wanted another center back since the start of the summer and after getting linked and trying for many different options, they ended up investing in 21-year-old Thiaw from Schalke.

The deal was agreed on Saturday and the player arrived in Milano on Sunday. Today (Monday), he had his medical check-ups before heading to Casa Milan to sign the contract.

The statement on the website of the Rossoneri reads: “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.

Frederic Massara, Paolo Maldini, Malick Thiaw and Ivan Gazidis at Casa Milan on August 29, 2022. (@acmilan.com)

“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.”

Malick Thiaw officially at Milan. (@acmilan.com)

Schalke also released a statement about the transfer:

“After seven years in Royal Blue, Malick Thiaw is departing FC Schalke 04 to complete an immediate transfer to Milan. The club have agreed to sell the centre-back to the Serie A champions because of the financially lucrative aspect of the deal. The transfer fee is undisclosed.

“It was a difficult decision for us to let Malick go. He is a home-grown talent, a product of our Knappenschmiede, and has developed fantastically over the past years. He would have been an asset to our squad,” said Schalke sporting director Rouven Schröder. “We also need to consider the financial element when it comes to decisions like this – just like last winter when we rejected a transfer offer. The circumstances are different this time and it made sense financially for us to agree to the deal.

“This positive result was achieved in close coordination with the financial department. Board member for finance Christina Rühl-Hamers said: “The transfer fee for Malick Thiaw allows us to meet our financial targets proposed at the start of the window. It offers us more room to manoeuvre financially when it comes to other issues and challenges that still lie ahead.

Malick Thiaw officially at Milan. (@acmilan.com)

Malick Thiaw leaves Schalke 04 after seven years with a heavy heart: “I’m looking forward to the new challenge in Milan. I want to express my gratitude to everyone at FC Schalke 04 who has helped me along my journey – all the of management, the coaches, advisors, staff and teammates that I have been able to experience special moments with. I would also like to explicitly thank the Schalke fans – I wouldn’t have been able to make this journey without their support. Schalke 04 will always remain a special club for me that will always be close to my heart.

“The 21-year-old arrived at Schalke from Borussia Mönchengladbach in summer 2015 and worked his way through the Knappenschmiede academy. He made his Bundesliga debut in a 1-1 draw with TSG Hoffenheim in March 2020, going on to play a total of 61 competitive games for the Royal Blues. The defender was also a European U21 Championship winner with Germany in 2021.”

It is believed that Milan agreed to pay €5m + €2m in bonuses for the services of the youngster. He has decided to wear the #28 on his back.