With the onboarding of Irish U17 national team captain Cathal Heffernan, Milan concluded the January winter transfer window with another bright young prospect – after signing Serbian wonderkid Marko Lazetic as part of the first team.
Heffernan, 16, sealed a dream move to Milan from Cork City, in the final hours of transfer deadline day, as reported by the Irish Post. The week-long day saga came to an end yesterday when the youngster was contacted by representatives from Milan to complete the deal. He will move to San Siro on loan until the end of the season after which the move will become permanent.
Finally it’s official. So proud of you Cathal this is only the beginning ❤️ Now it’s time to work #teamheff #driveon pic.twitter.com/gLRkm2jKTU
— Rob Heffernan OLY (@RM_Heffernan) January 31, 2022
Cork City are expected to bag in a five-figure sum if Heffernan stays at Milan beyond the loan deal due to a clause in his contract when he first signed with the Irish club.
The teenage prospect spent 2021 on trial with different Italian clubs, including Roma, Juventus and Atalanta. However, it was Milan who were the most impressed with his defensive abilities and the only Azzurri club to have taken the step forward in securing his signature.
German giants Bayer Leverkusen were also interested in Heffernan, but Milan were faster to receive clearance from FIFA for putting the deal into place.
He is the first Irishman since Paddy Sloan in 1948 to sign for the Milan giants.
The Cork City youth product will immediately join the Rossoneri Primavera side. He is expected to miss out on Milan’s derby clash against fellow rivals Inter on February 1, but is in line to make his debut in Italy against Genoa U19 on February 5.