Milan announced, on August 6, 2025, the signing of 23-year-old Swiss midfielder Ardon Jashari for up to 37 million euros (R$270.5 million), marking the most expensive transfer in Italian football during the summer window. The player, a standout at Club Brugge, signed a contract until 2030 and joins to bolster the Rossoneri’s midfield under coach Massimiliano Allegri. The deal, finalized after weeks of negotiations, includes 34 million euros fixed and 3 million in bonuses, outpacing competitors from the Premier League and Saudi Arabia. Jashari, who will wear the number 30, is already integrated into the squad and will play in pre-season friendlies. The signing reflects Milan’s ambition to reclaim prominence in Serie A and the Champions League after a disappointing season.
Jashari’s arrival is part of a strategic squad overhaul. The Albanian-born Swiss player, born in Cham, Switzerland, shone in Europe with Club Brugge, where he won the Belgian Cup in 2024/25. His versatility and defensive skills make him a key piece for Allegri.
The announcement was shared on Milan’s social media, highlighting the energy and potential of the young Swiss.
- Jashari’s stats last season: 52 games, 4 goals, 5 assists for Club Brugge.
- Contract: Deal until 2030, with an estimated salary of 2 million euros per year.
- Beaten competition: Clubs from the Premier League and Saudi Arabia.
Jashari’s journey to Milan
Ardon Jashari began his career at Luzern, a Swiss club where he debuted professionally in 2020. Over four years, he played 102 games and scored 9 goals, catching the eye of Club Brugge, who signed him for 6 million euros in 2024. In Belgium, he became a cornerstone, with strong performances in the Jupiler Pro League and Champions League. His 2024/25 season, with the Belgian Cup title and a runner-up finish in the league, earned him the “Player of the Year” award in the Belgian Championship.
He also has international experience, with four caps for Switzerland, including one at the 2022 World Cup. His ability to play as a defensive midfielder, combined with vision and precise passing, put him on the radar of top European clubs. Milan, however, secured the deal, with Jashari publicly expressing his desire to play for the Rossoneri, a club he has supported since childhood.
The transfer to Milan marks a leap in the young Swiss’s career, giving him a chance to shine in one of the world’s most competitive leagues. Choosing the number 30 reflects continuity with his identity at Club Brugge, where he wore the same number.
Milan’s strategy for 2025/26
Jashari’s signing is Milan’s fourth for the 2025/26 season, following Luka Modric, Samuele Ricci, and Pervis Estupiñán. The club, which finished eighth in Serie A 2024/25, aims to recapture the glory of its historic Champions League campaigns. The sales of players like Tijjani Reijnders, for 57 million euros, and Theo Hernandez, for high fees, allowed Milan to reinvest in promising and experienced players.
The investment of up to 37 million euros in Jashari shows the board’s confidence in young players with immediate impact potential. Coach Massimiliano Allegri, back at the club, requested versatile players to balance defense and attack. Jashari, compared by fans to Granit Xhaka for his playing style, fills this gap with solid defending and playmaking ability.
- Other Milan signings: Luka Modric, Samuele Ricci, Pervis Estupiñán.
- Club’s goal: Compete for the Serie A title and advance in the Champions League.
- Next steps: Signing a right-back and a center-forward, with Dusan Vlahovic as a target.
Financial impact of the transfer
The deal with Club Brugge was sealed after weeks of intense talks. The Belgian club initially demanded 40 million euros, but Milan secured the transfer for 34 million fixed, plus 3 million in bonuses tied to targets like minutes played and team achievements. The transfer generated a 32-million-euro profit for Brugge, who had paid just 6 million for the player in 2024.
Jashari’s arrival is the most expensive in Italy’s 2025 summer window, surpassing Juventus’s signing of Francisco Conceição for 32 million euros. The investment reflects Milan’s strategy of balancing youth and experience, with players like Modric bringing leadership and Jashari offering physicality and long-term potential.
Jashari’s salary, estimated at 2 million euros net per season (about R$13 million), aligns with the club’s pay scale for young talents. The five-year contract ensures stability for both the player and Milan, which is planning a long-term project around him.
Expectations for Jashari’s debut
Jashari is already integrated into the squad and will feature in pre-season friendlies against Leeds in Dublin on Saturday and Chelsea in London on Sunday. His official debut is set for August 17 against Bari in the Coppa Italia. The player arrived in Milan on Tuesday, August 5, underwent medical exams, and visited the Milanello training center, where he was welcomed by the squad and coaching staff.
The Rossoneri fanbase is excited about the signing, especially after the club’s social media posts highlighting Jashari’s arrival with messages like “Midfield power incoming” and “Ardon is one of us.” His connection to Milan, combined with his determination to choose the club despite other offers, raises expectations for his performance.
- Pre-season games: Leeds (Dublin, 8/9) and Chelsea (London, 8/10).
- Official debut: August 17 against Bari in the Coppa Italia.
- Shirt number: Jashari will keep the number 30, used at Club Brugge.
- Playing style: Defensive midfielder with vision and precise passing.
Boost for the Champions League
Jashari’s signing is also seen as a step to strengthen Milan in the Champions League, where the club aims to regain its prominence. Last season, Club Brugge, with Jashari, reached the round of 16 but fell to Aston Villa. Now at Milan, the Swiss will face top-tier opponents in a more competitive squad.
The revamped midfield, with Modric, Ricci, and Jashari, gives Allegri versatile tactical options. The Swiss, with his ball-winning ability and play distribution, can play as a lone defensive midfielder or in a double-pivot system, depending on the strategy. His youth, paired with Modric’s experience, creates a promising balance for the sector.
Milan is also planning further signings, with right-back Zachary Athekame from Young Boys and center-forward Dusan Vlahovic from Juventus as top targets. The 2025 transfer window shows an aggressive Milan, eager to invest to return to the top of European football.
Fan and expert reactions
Jashari’s arrival has sparked excitement among Milan fans, who see the Swiss as a potential regular starter. On social media, the hashtag #WelcomeJashari trended, with fans praising the player’s commitment to choosing Milan. Experts note that the signing is a strategic coup, especially given its cost-effectiveness compared to other European transfers.
The Italian newspaper “Gazzetta dello Sport” highlighted that Jashari turned down more lucrative offers to fulfill his dream of playing for Milan. His versatility and intensity are seen as ideal for Allegri’s style, which prioritizes defensive solidity and quick transitions. The expectation is that the Swiss will adapt quickly to Serie A, leveraging his experience in European competitions.
- Fan reaction: Hashtag #WelcomeJashari trended on social media.
- Comparison to Xhaka: Playing style similar to Arsenal’s midfielder.
- Media praise: “Gazzetta dello Sport” highlights Jashari’s choice of Milan.