AC Milan have officially confirmed that former Serie A MVP winner Rafael Leao has completed a permanent move to Turkish heavyweights Galatasaray after spending seven seasons with the Rossoneri.
Galatasaray have stated that they will pay a fixed €38m fee, excluding bonuses, to bring Leao in from Milan, while the Rossoneri will also keep a 20% sell-on clause.
Como, Italy – January 15: Rafael Leao of AC Milan looks on during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and AC Milan at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on January 15, 2026 in Como, Italy.
The Portugal international had just under two seasons left on his Milan contract, which was due to run until the summer of 2028.
He is also set to receive a major salary rise following the switch to Turkey, with his net wages confirmed at €10m per season, again excluding bonuses.
Aston Villa were also in talks to sign Leao late in the summer transfer window, but could not match Galatasaray’s proposal either on the transfer fee or on personal terms.
Milan, Italy – January 08: Rafael Leao of AC Milan celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Genoa CFC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 08, 2026 in Milan, Italy.
Leao has been one of Milan’s standout players over the last seven years. He made 291 competitive appearances for the Rossoneri in all competitions, including 227 in Serie A, and was previously named the league’s MVP when Milan won the Scudetto in 2021-22.
He also reached a Champions League semi-final in 2022-23 and lifted the Supercoppa Italiana under Sergio Conceicao in 2024-25.
He flew to Istanbul on Saturday and was welcomed by huge crowds at the airport upon arrival.
Leao will wear the No. 27 shirt in his first season in Turkey. At Galatasaray, he will link up with another former Serie A MVP winner, Victor Osimhen, as well as players such as Leroy Sane, Ilkay Gundogan and Davinson Sanchez.
“AC Milan announces the permanent transfer of Rafael Alexandre da Conceicao Leao to Galatasaray Spor Kulubu,” read a statement published on Milan’s website on Sunday.
The club thanked Rafa for the professionalism and passion he showed in the Rossoneri shirt across these seven seasons together, during which he helped the side win the Scudetto in the 2021/22 season and the 2024 Italian Super Cup. Milan also wished Rafa the very best, both personally and professionally, in this new chapter of his career.
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