Transfer Centre

Inter Milan announce permanent signing of Francesco Acerbi

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 07 July 2023

Inter Milan confirm that they have exercised their option to sign Italian centre-back Francesco Acerbi on a permanent deal from Lazio.

Inter Milan have confirmed that they have exercised their option to sign Francesco Acerbi on a permanent deal from Lazio.

The 35-year-old joined the Nerazzurri on a season-long loan deal for the 2022-23 campaign and became a fundamental member of Simone Inzaghi's three-man defence.

Acerbi ended his debut campaign at San Siro with one goal and one assist from 49 matches, starting 10 Champions League games as Inter lost to Manchester City in the final.

The Nerazzurri kept clean sheets in eight of the 10 Champions League games where Acerbi lined up from the first whistle, while he also helped the Nerazzurri clinch a Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana double.

Acerbi's loan deal expired on June 30, but Inter have now announced that the Italy international has signed permanently for a reported fee of €3.5m (£3m), following a similar move for midfielder Kristjan Asllani.

Acerbi - who has also represented AC Milan, Genoa, Reggina, Sassuolo and Chievo Verona - departs Lazio after registering 10 goals and seven assists from 173 games during a five-year spell.

The veteran centre-back makes his San Siro stay permanent after Milan Skriniar's exit to Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer, while Stefan de Vrij - who became a free agent at the end of June - has reportedly agreed to a new contract with the Nerazzurri.