Who Is Alphadjo Cisse? AC Milan Sign Teenage Prodigy Likened To Yamine Lamal
The 19-year-old midfielder is one of Italian football's most exciting young players.
Giuseppe Labellarte
Updated on 02 February 2026
AC Milan have completed the signing of teenage midfielder Alphadjo Cisse from Hellas Verona.
The Rossoneri confirmed the deal in an official statement, with reports claiming he cost €8m plus bonuses.
Milan have also confirmed that Cisse will remain Serie B side Catanzaro on loan until the end of the season.
Cisse had been on loan with Catanzaro since last summer, when he was still on Verona’s books.
FootItalia looks at Cisse’s career and style of play, including comparisons to Barcelona legend Lamine Yamal.
Alphadjo Cisse to AC Milan: background and breakthrough
Alphadjo Cisse was born in Treviso on October 22, 2006. He is a midfielder who also plays for Italy’s Under-21s.
He began his career the youth setup at Giorgione Calcio 2000 before joining Verona’s academy in 2020.
Cisse’s big leap came in 2023-24, when he scored 16 goals in 30 games for Verona’s Primavera side.
Cisse then made his Serie A debut in May 2024, coming on against Inter. He later featured against Lazio and Milan.
Now it’s official! Alphadjo #Cissè to #ACMilan from #Verona for €8 + bonuses. 5-years contract. No surprise here and confirmed! #transfers pic.twitter.com/FzkbOIXHjD
— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) February 2, 2026
This season, a loan to Catanzaro has helped him grow, with six goals in 21 games in Serie B.
As a result, bigger clubs began circling, but Milan have now swooped for the Azzurri youth ace.
Indeed, links between Milan and Cisse go back to 2024, so they have followed through on their long-term interest.
The deal itself has been reported at around €8m, with add-ons and a sell-on percentage also discussed in Italy.
Milan have moved quickly to beat competition from PSV Eindhoven, after reports in Italy suggested a deal was close.
Alphadjo Cisse: Style of play
Alphadjo Cisse is a versatile and attack-minded midfielder who can also play further up the pitch.
It is no surprise he has often featured this season as the number 10 behind striker Pietro Iemmello.
In recent matches, Cisse has stood out as a player given real freedom to push forward and influence the final third.
He can also operate as a second striker, supporting a main forward when his team want an extra threat between the lines.
Goal.com and SempreMilan recently reported on how Cisse’s style of play has been likened to that of Barcelona star Lamine Yamal.
Meanwhile, Milan’s official statement described Cisse as ‘one of the most exciting prospects of his generation’.
In other Rossoneri news, Jean-Philippe Mateta won’t join Milan this month after a deal fell through due to issues with his medical.
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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