Tomori moves from Chelsea to A.C. Milan

Fikayo Tomori is taking his talents to a top-flight footy team in Italy.

In another high-profile move involving a Calgary kid, A.C. Milan has drawn the 23-year-old's soccer services, acquiring him on loan from Chelsea in the English Premier League.

“It's a club with great history, this is an opportunity I couldn't turn down,” Tomori told the A.C. Milan website after the move was made official over the weekend.

“I was surprised. When I spoke to (Milan's technical director) Paolo Maldini, the best defender who has ever played football, I knew this was where I wanted to be and where I wanted to play football.

“I am very happy to be here now.”

Things hadn't been so rosy for Tomori with the EPL'S Blues lately.

After making 15 Premier League starts at centre-back last year with Chelsea, his playing time has been cut back drastically these days, thanks mostly due to the addition of veteran defender Thiago Silva over the summer.

The Calgary native has logged just 44 minutes of field time for the EPL side this season.

Meanwhile, head coach Frank Lampard was sacked by Chelsea on Monday. Lampard, who led the west London club to a topfour finish and the FA Cup final in his managerial debut 2019-20 campaign, leaves with Chelsea in ninth place after a run of five losses in eight games.

For now, Tomori is on loan to the Serie A powerhouse for the rest of the 2021 season, although reports say A.C. Milan has an option to buy him for £25 million (US$34 million). Oluwafikayomi Oluwadamilola `Fikayo' Tomori was born in Calgary to Nigerian parents but grew up in England.

He played for Canada's under-20 team in 2016, but has since joined the footy fight for England, having played for that nation's U19, U20 and U21 sides before making one appearance with the senior squad in 2019. That came against Kosovo 14 months ago.