Portuguese forward Joao Felix has completed a loan move to AC Milan from Chelsea until the end of the season.
Milan secured the services of the 25-year-old for a £5 million loan fee, with no obligation to buy. Although the transfer was only officially announced on Tuesday, all necessary paperwork was completed ahead of Monday’s Serie A and Premier League transfer deadlines.
Felix joined Chelsea permanently for £45 million in August after a previous loan spell during the 2022-23 season. Despite signing a seven-year contract, he struggled for consistent game time this campaign, starting only three Premier League matches but scoring seven goals across cup competitions.
The deal was part of a unique player exchange between Chelsea and Atletico Madrid, with Chelsea academy graduate Conor Gallagher moving to Spain for £33 million. Chelsea’s attempt to sign Atletico striker Samu Omorodion fell through, and Felix’s loan move seemingly facilitated Atletico’s finances for the Gallagher transfer.
Felix, who began his career at Benfica before moving to Atletico Madrid for £113 million in 2019 — one of the most expensive transfers in football history — also had a loan stint at Barcelona during the 2023-24 season.
AC Milan, currently eighth in Serie A, will be hoping Felix can bolster their attacking options as they face Roma in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals on Wednesday. The Rossoneri also have a crucial two-legged Champions League play-off against Feyenoord this month.