Official: Inter Sign Kristjan Asllani

Inter’s transfer market is heating up. The Nerazzurri announced its second signing of the summer Thursday, confirming weeks of rumors linking Empoli midfielder Kristjan Asllani to Milano, with Romelu Lukaku starring in the welcoming video.

The Albanian joins Inter on a €4 million loan with either an option or obligation to buy depending on the source, with a €10 million purchase option and €2 million in bonuses. Asllani will sign a contract until 2027 for €1.2 million a year.

Asllani onto the scene at Empoli last season, tallying 23 appearances (14 starts, 1,346 minutes) in Serie A and notching a goal (against Inter of all teams) and an assist in his first-ever campaign at the professional level. It took the 20-year-old a while to adapt to the league (he made just 6 appearances in Empoli’s first 20 games), but once he got a chance in the lineup he proved undroppable - Asllani played in all but one of the Tuscany side’s final 18 games and got international recognition via a debut for the Albanian national team. He shined as a defensive midfielder and looks like not only the perfect Brozovic back-up but also quite capable of filling in anywhere across the midfield.

Though €14 million might seem like a lot for a player with only one top-flight season under his belt, this is a stellar signing from Inter. The Nerazzurri desperately needed midfield depth and young back-ups, so Asllani ticks a number of boxes. He’s also, you know, pretty good at football and it’s going to be fun watching him grow into a potential star over the next few seasons.

Welcome to Inter, Kristjan!