AC Milan To Recall Italy Prodigy Francesco Camarda From Lecce Loan
Francesco Camarda could be in line for senior game time at AC Milan in the second half of the season.
Giuseppe Labellarte
Updated on 16 January 2026
AC Milan striker Francesco Camarda is set to return to Milanello from his Lecce loan, according to reports.
The Rossoneri loaned the 17-year-old out to their fellow Serie A side in the summer transfer window.
Camarda has played frequently for Lecce in the first half of the season, clocking up 19 appearances, one goal and one assist.
However, with Milan having some personnel issues up front, they have reportedly decided to call him back.
Why AC Milan are recalling Francesco Camarda from Lecce loan
Italian journalist Nicolo Schira has reported that Francesco Camarda will return to Milan in the coming days.
Rather than being loaned out again, Camarda will be part of Massimiliano Allegri’s squad, added the transfer insider.
🚨 Excl. – Francesco #Camarda will return to #ACMilan from #Lecce in the next days. The young striker will stay at #Milan and will be a reinforce for Max #Allegri in the second half of the season. #transfers
— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) January 16, 2026
Milan recently signed Niclas Fullkrug to give Allegri another option up front.
Now, with Santiago Gimenez still on the sidelines, the Rossoneri are seeking to bolster their attacking ranks further.
Camarda is currently on the sidelines himself, nursing a shoulder injury that is likely to keep him out for two weeks.
The news comes amid reports suggesting Brazil gem Rayan won’t join Milan, having apparently agreed a deal with English club Bournemouth.
The records Francesco Camarda has already broken
Despite being just 17 years old, Francesco Camarda has already achieved a great deal in Italian football.
In September, Camarda scored his first Serie A goal against Bologna in September. He became the youngest player in Lecce’s history to do so.
Under Stefano Pioli, he became the youngest player to make his debut in Serie A when he came on against Fiorentina on November 25, 2023.
The Italian FA granted Milan a special exemption to allow Camarda to play at just 15 years, eight months, and 13 days.
This is because regulations do not allow players under 16 to feature in the top flight.
Camarda was also the youngest player to appear for Milan, breaking the record held by the iconic Paolo Maldini.
The following season, under Paulo Fonseca, Camarda made his Champions League debut against Club Brugge.
In doing so, he became Milan and Italy’s youngest player to feature in the competition at 16 years and 226 days.
Camarda will return to a Milan side now second in Serie A after Adrien Rabiot’s heroics helped them beat Como.
Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte is a sports journalist with over a decade of professional experience in the industry. His main professional expertise is in soccer. Prior to joining FootItalia, he worked for the likes of Sports Mole, TBR Football, the Chelsea Chronicle and numerous other sites, along with having bylines in the likes of the Nottingham Post. He holds degrees in Journalism and International Relations.
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