More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A former Kent student is set to follow in the footsteps of footballing hero Paolo Maldini who he revealed had helped persuade him to sign for AC Milan.
Chelsea defender and former Gravesend Grammar pupil Fikayo Tomori has secured a six-month loan switch to the Italian giants.
In a club statement the Rossoneri said they were "delighted" to welcome the 23-year-old player to the club who will now take up the same number shirt as his age.
And the defender, who has been out of favour in his second full season with the Blues under now axed first team coach Frank Lampard, revealed he had a little encouragement from a San Siro legend and the current club technical director, Paolo Maldini.
"When I first got the call, I was a bit… I wouldn’t say confused, but I was surprised!" Tomori told the club’s website.
"I spoke to Paolo Maldini. The best defender to ever play football was talking to me and asking me to come, so from there I knew that this is where I wanted to come and play football and to learn from him as well. I’m very happy to be here now.
He added: “Paolo Maldini, the best defender that ever played! When I was young and I was [playing as] a striker or a midfielder, Kaka was someone that I really enjoyed watching, [Clarence] Seedorf as well.
“To be able to put on the shirt that they wore is a huge honour and if I have half the success that they had, I’ll have a good time here.”
Tomori was born in Calgary in Canada to Nigerian parents who moved to Gravesend when he was a baby.
In his youth he was a part of the town's The Gr@nd youth programme and last month backed the project's Christmas appeal which provided 100 hampers to vulnerable people in his hometown.
The England International impressed in the classroom and secured a place at Gravesend Grammar in Church Walk.
But it wasn't long before Tomori's talents on the football pitch saw him splitting his time between the riverside town and Chelsea's Cobham training facility after he signed for the club aged seven.
He spent his youth career at the south west London club, winning the FA Youth Cup and UEFA Youth League, as well as being named Academy Player of the Year in 2016.
The academy graduate then stepped up to the first team and impressed as part of coach Lampard's youthful side last season with a memorable performance and his first goal against Wolves in a 5-2 rout.
But Tomori struggled for more appearances in his second full term and has now secured a switch to the Italian league in a bid for more game time.
The defender has signed a contract with the Italian club until June 30 but it is understood AC Milan have an option to make the deal permanent for around £26m if he impresses.
At the half way stage of the Italian football season the Rossoneri currently sit top of Serie A on 43 points.
Tomori is expected to play a crucial role in bolstering the side's defence after their impressive start to the season which has seen them grab a foothold in the race to dislodge bitter title rivals and current champions Juventus, who recently secured their ninth crown in a row.
