Izuchukwu Okosi
Newcastle United on Monday confirmed the signing of Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali from AC Milan on a five-year contract until 2028.
The Toons are keen to boost their team that finished behind Manchester City and Arsenal in the 2022/2023 season
Join our WhatsApp ChannelNo financial details were disclosed but British media reported that Newcastle paid Milan a fee of 70 million euros ($76.28 million) with add-ons.
Touted as Italy great Andrea Pirlo’s heir, 23-year-old Tonali helped guide Milan to their first Serie A title in 11 years in the 2021-22 season and he was a key figure in their run to the Champions League semi-finals last season.
A versatile midfielder, Tonali played more games than any other Milan player last season, clocking up nearly 4,000 minutes across all competitions.
Tonali has 14 senior caps for Italy but did not make the squad for the UEFA Nations League finals where they finished third as he was named in Italy’s squad to the ongoing European U-21 Championship.
Newcastle qualified for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years after a top-four finish under manager Eddie Howe.
Tonali will be their second recruit of the close season after 18-year-old Gambia forward Yankuba Minteh was signed from Danish side Odense Boldklub.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
