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The winter transfer window ended up being a quiet one for AC Milan after an initial flurry, but one signing might go under the radar: Alphadjo Cissè.
The big news concerning the first team in the mid-season mercato was the signing of Niclas Füllkrug from West Ham United on loan with option to buy, on the day the window opened. On deadline day, Jean-Philippe Mateta failed a medical and his expected €30m+ arrival from Crystal Palace collapsed.
However, there was still movement on the final day, as Milan were able to deposit the contract of Alphadjo Cissè, the young talent who is enchanting Serie B. The operation was conducted by Igli Tare, and though it may not be front page news, he beat international competition to the signing.
By Cissè’s own admission he thought he was going to PSV Eindhoven until Milan came in late and turned his head. The Rossoneri will pay Verona €8m as a fixed fee, plus €2m in bonuses tied to future objectives, while the teenager will remain on loan at Catanzaro until June.
Back story
Alphadjo Cissè was born on 22 October 2006 in Treviso, a city in the north-east of Italy. He joined the academy of Associazione Sportiva Dilettantistica Giorgione in the same province, playing there until he was 13 years of age.
By that point the big club in Veneto had taken note of his talents, and so Cissè joined the youth academy of Serie A side Hellas Verona. With the Gialloblu made his way up the various age groups from U14s up to the Primavera.
It was with Verona Primavera that he really established himself as a future star, racking up 22 goals and three assists in 67 games, playing mostly as an attacking midfielder but operating across the forward line.
Cissè made his senior for Verona’s first team during a 3-1 win over Ascoli on 12 August 2023 in the Coppa Italia, but it took him until 26 May 2024 to get his first taste of Serie A action, against Milan’s city rivals Inter.
The decision was made to send the promising talent to Catanzaro in Serie B during the last summer transfer window. He appeared 22 times for the Calabrian side in the league, racking up six goals and an assist in what has undoubtedly been a very useful experience far away from home.
Then, in the winter window, Milan swooped. The Rossoneri had reportedly been tracking him for multiple years, and they managed to sign him on a long-term deal. As part of the agreement he was loaned back to Catanzaro, on a six-month deal until the end of the campaign. Sadly, he has just suffered an injury, which will keep him out for up to two months.
Cissè is eligible to represent Guinea internationally through his parents, but has chosen the Azzurri for now. He played four times for Italy U16s after debuting in 2022, once for the U18s (debuting in 2023), six times for the U19s scoring once (debut 2023) and has now been called up to the U21s. His first game for them came in November 2025.
Strengths, weaknesses and tactical fit
Cissé played under Alberto Aquilani at Catanzaro in a 3-4-2-1 system. They us a heavy short-passing build-up and high territorial positioning, with 3.7 possessions won in the final third per game.
They have a high shot volume, but defensively they are often exposed in transition. So, Cissé operated in a proactive setup where the emphasis was getting on the front foot.
📊 Shooting Profile
➤ xG: 2.67
➤ xGOT: 4.63
➤ Goals: 6
That jump from xG → xGOT is the key: it shows that midfielder doesn’t just take shots, he picks the right moments in the right areas, and ultimately executes.
What does that mean? Cissè has a strong striking technique, is comfortable from range, is confident shooting outside the box and is clinical relative to chance quality He was Catanzaro’s top scorer.
📍 Role
Cissè has been playing as the left-sided attacking behind the striker. He hugs the left flank rather than staying centrally though, and drives inside to shoot. He has a Balanced output with passes roughly equal to successful dribbles.
The teenager has 44 touches per game which is around the midpoint in terms of how much players get involved. He is more vertical in movement, rather than being an orchestral playmaker, like his Catanzaro team-mate Mattia Liberali.
⚔ Physical profile
Cissè ranks high for ground duels won, winning possession high once per game on average. He has more tackles than interceptions which shows aggression in the duel rather than sitting off to occupy passing lanes. He is not yet a space-controller defensively, but that will come with Allegri.
🚫 Areas to Improve
➤ Out-of-possession awareness
➤ Defensive scanning
➤ Anticipation of passing lanes
➤ Increasing overall involvement in build-up
Cissè presses and has learned that to a point under Aquilani and previously with Verona, but he doesn’t dictate the defensive structure yet. Allegri likes the forwards to be the first line of defence, so we presume this aspect will be worked on.
🔴 Tactical fit at Milan
The roles that Cissè could play:
➤ Left-sided attacking midfielder
➤ Advanced 8
➤ Rabiot-type vertical carrier role
The Treviso-born talent is not a tempo-setter when it comes to attacking play, but rather he’s a momentum changer. There is some overlap with Rafael Leao in this sense: a player ready to get the ball, spring into life and make things happen with direct play.
Conclusion
For €10m, this is a calculated upside bet. Cissè has the shot quality, the verticality and above all the physical competitiveness that has allowed him to shine in a rough league like Serie B, where many his age fall by the wayside.
His development curve is an exciting one, and if Milan polish his out of possession game, they may have secured a serious asset. Cissè is raw but dangerous and has the potential to be a part of the future of Italian football, in Serie A and at international level.
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