USMNT defender Sergiño Dest joins AC Milan on loan

USMNT defender Sergiño Dest has joined AC Milan from Barcelona. The deal is a season-long loan with a $20 million option to make the transfer permanent. The 21-year-old American defender joined Barca from Ajax in 2020. 

The American right back is a versatile player. He can operate on the left side or right side of any defense. Plus, he can go further up the pitch to inhabit a more offensive role if needed. Milan already have Alessandro Florenzi and Davide Calabria at right back. However, Florenzi is set to miss at least around eight weeks of action due to an injury.

Dest played over 50 La Liga matches with Barca. He also amassed 16 Champions League and seven Europa League appearances during his time in Spain. While he had a very promising start to his career in Spain, injuries hampered his progression with Barca.

The American did not feature for Barca during their first three matches of the current campaign. Manager Xavi opted instead to go without Dest and chose usual center backs Ronald Araujo and Jules Koundé at the right back position.

Sergiño Dest joins AC Milan from Barca

Internationally, the defender made his USMNT debut when he was just 18 and quickly fully committed to the team soon after. Dest was born in the Netherlands, yet chose to represent the U.S. and has been a mainstay in the USMNT over the last few years.

USMNT fans will hope that the defender can remain healthy and receive plenty of game time during his spell in Italy.  Dest is a very important player for the United States.  They need him fit and ready ahead of the upcoming World Cup.

AC Milan’s next game comes against fierce rivals Inter Milan on Saturday, September 3.  If the Derby di Milano comes too soon for Dest, he could make his Milan debut in a Champions League fixture against RB Salzburg next week. 

PHOTO: IMAGO / Ricardo Larreina Amador