Flamengo’s GM confirms that Paqueta has been signed by Milan & will go to Italy in December

Lucas Paqueta’s transfer to AC Milan seems to be official, and it appears that he will travel to Milan in December in order to train with the team before he can join with the rest of the team once his signing becomes official and he can register as a Milan player at the start of the January transfer window.

Flamengo’s general manager, Bruno Spindel, confirmed that Milan have signed the 21 year-old midfielder after Paqueta had expressed a desire to move to Europe after rejecting a new contract to stay in Brazil.

Spindel said Paqueta was going into a good situation at Milan, and that the relationship that Flamengo and Brazil have with Milan is key, as players such as Kaka have reached the pinnacle of their careers in Italy. He also cited Leonardo and Maldini as positive influences at the club, saying:

Milan’s offer was the best and it’s good for him. They had Kaka, who made history there. I think Milan are in a good way at the moment.

There’s Leonardo, Maldini…. They are two points of reference and they know what they’re doing.

The city has welcomed the Brazilians in the past, so it’ll be good for him and Flamengo to have a player who will do well in Europe.

Sky Sports Italia is also reporting that Paqueta will fly directly to Milan after Flamengo’s season is over on December 2nd, giving him a month to fully integrate into Gennaro Gattuso’s system, although he can’t officially become a registered Milan player until January 3rd when the window opens.

Milan are in need of help in midfield, and Paqueta was reportedly the subject of interest from at least 10 other clubs in Europe, according to Spindel, and the young Brazilian midfielder will hope to follow in the footsteps of other great Milan players who have come from Brazil. Here’s hoping that the extra month he gets training with the team will allow him to suit up and contribute to the team right away.