De Ketelaere undergoes medical ahead of AC Milan move

Rome, Italy, Aug 2, 2022 (AFP) - Young Belgium striker Charles De Ketelaere was due to complete his transfer to AC Milan from Brugge on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old, who has eight Belgium caps, arrived in Milan on Monday night and was greeted by a few fans.

He began his medical in the morning ahead of signing his contract with the Serie A champions.

De Ketelaere tweeted a tribute to home-town club Brugge, which he joined at the age of seven, on Twitter.

"I want to thank Club Bruges for giving me the opportunity since I was a child to belong to their ranks, for making my dreams come true, for having trained me as a professional player," he wrote on Monday evening.

AC Milan reportedly offered 35 million euros ($36 million) including bonuses.

He is Milan's third signing of the summer following another Belgian striker, Divock Origi from Liverpool and French midfielder Yacine Adli from Bordeaux.

But the Serie A champions have lost defensive midfielder Franck Kessie to Barcelona and central defender Alessio Romagnoli to Lazio.

AC Milan will open their title defence on 13 August at home to Udinese.