The SüperLig welcomes its next high-profile addition. After seven years with AC Milan, Rafael Leao is heading to Galatasaray, which is paying 38 million euros for him.
Mohamed Salah (Trabzonspor), Alexander Nübel, Dusan Vlahovic (both Besiktas), Mason Greenwood, and Romelu Lukaku (both Fenerbahce) are just a handful of the players who have made the move to the SüperLig this summer. Rafael Leao is now another big name to join their ranks.
As Galatasaray announced, a lump sum of 38 million euros is being paid to Milan. In addition, 20 percent of the profit from any future sale of Leao will be paid to AC Milan. The 27-year-old signed a contract through 2030 with the reigning champions—who will face VfB Stuttgart, among others, in the Champions League—and will earn 10 million euros per year.
Two titles with Milan—and a nod from Amorim
Having joined Milan from Lille in the summer of 2019, Rafael Leao’s time with the Rossoneri thus comes to an end after seven years. With the Milanese club, the left winger won both the 2021–22 league title and the national Super Cup in the 2024–25 season.
Rafael Leao contributed 80 goals and 65 assists in a total of 291 competitive matches for AC Milan, although he was unable to fully live up to the high expectations this past season, recording just 12 points in Serie A (nine goals, three assists). A departure had been on the cards for some time, after the Portuguese player had avoided making a clear commitment to Milan back in June. In addition, he had stated in the run-up to the World Cup that he had “already given everything” for Milan.
Even the hiring of his compatriot Ruben Amorim ultimately did not lead to Rafael Leao fulfilling his contract, which was originally set to run through 2028. Even before Milan’s second league match against Venice, the new head coach made it clear: “He is an outstanding soccer player, and with the right attitude, he can play for any club in the world. However, you have to have the right attitude, and sometimes in soccer, the time comes when it’s better to move on. And that’s exactly the situation we find ourselves in today.”