Milan has announced the signing of 23-year-old Swiss midfielder Ardon Jashari for up to €37 million (R$270.5 million), marking the most expensive transfer in Italian football during the 2025 summer window. The former Club Brugge player signed a contract until 2030, joining the squad under coach Massimiliano Allegri. The deal, finalized after weeks of negotiations, includes €34 million fixed and €3 million in bonuses, according to Italian media. Jashari arrived in Milan on Tuesday, August 5, underwent medical exams, and is already integrated into the team. He will wear the number 30 jersey, the same he wore at Brugge. The signing outmaneuvered competitors from the Premier League and Saudi Arabia, underscoring the player’s determination to join the Rossoneri, a club he has supported since childhood.
The announcement came on Wednesday, August 6, making Jashari the fourth signing for the 2025/26 season, following Luka Modric, Samuele Ricci, and Pervis Estupiñán. Known for his versatility and technical quality, the midfielder played 52 matches for Club Brugge last season, scoring four goals and providing five assists. The Belgian club won the Belgian Cup and reached the Champions League round of 16, where they were knocked out by Aston Villa.
Jashari’s arrival aligns with Milan’s strategy to invest in young talents with high-level experience. He joins a robust midfield alongside Modric, Ricci, Youssouf Fofana, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. To accommodate the new signing, the club is considering selling at least one midfielder, with Yunus Musah and Warren Bondo as potential departures.
- Key Jashari stats from 2024/25 season:
- 52 matches for Club Brugge.
- 4 goals and 5 assists.
- Belgian Cup champion.
- Champions League round of 16.
Intense negotiations with Club Brugge
Jashari’s transfer to Milan followed a prolonged saga. Club Brugge initially demanded €40 million, a figure Milan deemed steep. After weeks of talks, Milan raised their offer to €34 million fixed, with €3 million in bonuses, including €1 million tied to Champions League qualification over the next five years and another €1 million for reaching the semifinals. Jashari’s refusal of offers from the Premier League and Saudi Arabia was pivotal. He trained separately from Brugge’s squad and skipped preseason friendlies, signaling his intent to move to San Siro.
Milan’s president, Paolo Scaroni, emphasized the club’s resolve not to meet Brugge’s initial demands, while sporting director Igli Tare led the negotiations. The player’s persistence and Milan’s patience secured a deal that satisfied both parties, though close to the Italians’ financial ceiling.
Profile of a Swiss talent
Born on July 30, 2002, in Cham, Switzerland, Ardon Jashari is a versatile midfielder capable of playing as a defensive or creative force. Developed in Luzern’s youth academy, he debuted professionally in 2020, playing 102 matches and scoring nine goals. His 2024 move to Club Brugge for €6 million marked his rise in European football. At Brugge, he was named the Belgian Pro League Player of the Year for 2024/25, standing out as one of the league’s top performers.
- Jashari’s on-field traits:
- Vision for long passes and diagonals.
- Physical strength in midfield duels.
- Versatility across midfield roles.
- Experience in European competitions.
- Refined technique with his left foot.
With the Swiss national team, Jashari debuted in September 2022 and played four matches, including one at the 2022 World Cup. Though not yet a regular starter, he is seen as a potential successor to Granit Xhaka due to his playmaking and defensive solidity.
Impact on Milan’s squad
Jashari’s signing strengthens Milan’s midfield, which is undergoing a revamp after Tijjani Reijnders’ move to Manchester City and Theo Hernandez’s transfer to Al-Hilal. With Modric’s experience, Ricci’s dynamism, and Jashari’s youth and versatility, coach Allegri gains options for a competitive midfield. Fans, excited about the new addition, hope Jashari adapts quickly to Italian football, unlike Charles De Ketelaere, another ex-Brugge player who struggled at Milan.
Jashari is available for friendlies against Leeds and Chelsea on August 9 and 10 and could debut officially in the Coppa Italia against Bari on August 17. His integration is aided by his lifelong connection to Milan, having visited San Siro as a child.
- Milan’s new signings for 2025/26:
- Luka Modric (ex-Real Madrid).
- Samuele Ricci (ex-Torino).
- Pervis Estupiñán (ex-Brighton).
- Ardon Jashari (ex-Club Brugge).
Milan’s market strategy
Jashari’s signing reflects Milan’s ambition to reclaim European football’s elite after a disappointing eighth-place finish in Serie A 2024/25. The sales of Reijnders for €57 million and Hernandez for a high fee enabled strategic reinvestments. Milan is also close to signing right-back Zachary Athekame from Young Boys for around €10 million and is pursuing a striker, with Dusan Vlahovic as the primary target.
The 2025 transfer window highlights Milan’s aggressive approach, focusing on a blend of youth and experience. Jashari’s signing, the most expensive in Italy this window, underscores the club’s confidence in building a squad to compete in Serie A and the Champions League.
Season expectations
With Jashari, Milan enters the 2025/26 season with a revamped and versatile midfield. Allegri, known for developing young talent, will task the Swiss with fitting into the team’s tactical setup. Fans, thrilled by a player with proven European quality, expect Jashari to be a key piece in the pursuit of titles.
- Milan’s upcoming matches in 2025/26:
- Friendly vs. Leeds (August 9, Dublin).
- Friendly vs. Chelsea (August 10, London).
- Coppa Italia debut vs. Bari (August 17).
- Serie A start (date TBD).
Jashari’s signing also raises expectations for Milan’s Champions League campaign, where the club aims to restore its historical prominence. His talent, determination, and connection to the club make him a promising bet for the Rossoneri.