AC Milan has secured a deal to sign Manchester City captain Kyle Walker on loan for the remainder of the season, with an option to make the move permanent once the loan period concludes in the summer.

The 34-year-old right-back, who has been a crucial player for City since his arrival in 2017, will now travel to Italy to undergo a medical examination ahead of completing the transfer.

Walker’s time at Manchester City has been a highly successful one, marked by consistent performances and major achievements.

The defender, who has made 316 appearances for City, has been a central figure in the club’s dominance in English football under Pep Guardiola. His move to Milan represents a new chapter in his career, with Walker seeking to explore opportunities outside of the Premier League.

Walker’s most recent appearance for Manchester City came on January 4, 2025, in a 3-1 victory over West Ham United. After that match, the experienced defender communicated to Guardiola that he was interested in pursuing a move abroad, especially to Italy, rather than a transfer to the Saudi Pro League, where he had been linked with a move earlier in the transfer window.

While AC Milan has also been linked with other high-profile players, including Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford, the Italian club is limited in the number of players it can sign from the UK due to registration rules in Serie A.

The regulations restrict the club to just one player from the UK in this transfer window, which means they had to choose between Walker and Rashford. Walker’s preference for a move to Milan ultimately solidified the deal.

Walker’s departure marks the end of a long and successful spell at Manchester City, where he became a key member of the squad after joining from Tottenham Hotspur in 2017 for a transfer fee of £50 million.

Over the years, he has been integral to the club’s success, helping them secure six Premier League titles, including the historic treble in 2023, where City won the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League. Walker’s pace, defensive intelligence, and attacking contributions have made him one of the most reliable full-backs in Europe.

His leadership on and off the pitch was recognized in 2023 when he was appointed as one of City’s joint-captains. Walker was part of a five-player leadership group elected by his teammates at the start of the 2023-24 season. In addition to his club success, Walker has also been an important figure for England, earning 93 caps for the national team.

AC Milan will be hoping that Walker’s vast experience and leadership qualities will add to their defensive strength and provide valuable insight to their young squad.

The Italian club is undergoing a period of rebuilding and sees Walker as a crucial addition to their squad, offering stability and quality at the back. Walker’s time at Milan could serve as a stepping stone to a new phase in his career, as he looks to make an impact in Serie A and help Milan in their pursuit of domestic and European glory.

Meanwhile, Manchester City has made a significant splash in the January transfer market, spending approximately £123 million to reinforce their squad. Alongside the signing of Walker’s replacement, City has secured the services of Egypt forward Omar Marmoush, who joined from Bundesliga club Frankfurt for an initial £59 million.

Vitor Reis from Palmeiras and Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens have also joined for £30 million and £33.6 million, respectively. City’s signings reflect their commitment to strengthening their squad and ensuring they remain competitive in both domestic and European competitions.

In conclusion, Kyle Walker’s loan move to AC Milan represents a significant shift in his career after years of success at Manchester City. The transfer allows him to pursue a new challenge in Italy while continuing to offer his expertise to a club in need of leadership and experience.

As Manchester City moves forward with their new signings, the departure of Walker marks the end of an era for the club, but one that will undoubtedly be followed by a new wave of talent aiming to continue City’s dominance in English football.