Christian Pulisic Takes Zlatan Ibrahimovic's Old Squad Number After Completing £20m Transfer To AC Milan

Christian Pulisic has taken Zlatan Ibrahimovic's old squad number at AC Milan after completing a £20m transfer from Chelsea. Pulisic will wear the no.11 jersey.

Christian Pulisic is officially an AC Milan player after completing his transfer from Chelsea this week.

The USMNT forward was unveiled by Milan on Thursday and has signed a four-year contract with the option of a further 12 months.

Milan have paid a £20 million transfer fee for Pulisic - around £38m less than Chelsea spent to buy the player from Borussia Dortmund in 2019.

Pulisic made 98 appearances during his Premier League career, scoring 20 goals and providing nine assists.

The 24-year-old will wear the no.11 jersey for Milan. That squad number was vacated by Zlatan Ibrahimovic when he retired at the end of last season.

1️⃣1️⃣ The Pulisic Factor 🇺🇸
#ACMQuest #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/f3qxZJDt42

— AC Milan (@acmilan) July 13, 2023

According to an official club statement published on Wednesday, it was Pulisic's choice to take that number.

The statement read in full: "AC Milan is happy to announce the signing of Christian Mate Pulisic from Chelsea FC.

"The American winger has signed a contract with the Rossoneri until 30 June 2027, with an option to extend his stay until 30 June 2028.

"Born in Hershey (USA) on 18 September 1998, Christian came through the Youth Sector in the USA before moving to Borussia Dortmund in 2015.

"With the Black and Yellows, he made his senior debut in January 2016 and featured in 127 games scoring 19 goals, winning 1 German Cup. In January 2020, he moved to Chelsea, where he featured 145 times, scoring 26 goals and winning 1 Champions League, 1 European Super Cup and 1 Club World Cup.

"He's been capped 60 times for the USA's American national team, scoring 25 goals for the USMNT and winning the CONCACAF Nations League twice.

"Christian Pulisic has chosen the number 11 shirt."

Pulisic wore no.22 throughout his senior career with Dortmund. He kept that number during his first season at Stamford Bridge before being upgraded to no.10 for his final three years with Chelsea.

Ibrahimovic scored 93 goals in 163 games for Milan across two spells at the club. He won two Serie A titles with the Rossoneri - in 2011 and 2022.

Christian Pulisic pictured waving to fans earlier this week ahead of his medical exam with AC Milan :: IMAGO/LaPresse/Stefano Porta