Italian giants AC Milan have bolstered their defensive ranks with the signing of Ecuadorian international Pervis Estupiñán from Brighton & Hove Albion in a deal worth £17 million, including performance-related add-ons.
The 27-year-old left-back has signed a five-year deal that will keep him at the San Siro until June 2030.
Estupiñán becomes Milan’s third major signing of the summer transfer window, as the Rossoneri look to rebuild under new manager Massimiliano Allegri, following their 8th place finish in Serie A last season.
Brighton Departure After Two Influential Seasons
Estupiñán joined Brighton in August 2022 from Spanish side Villarreal for a reported fee of £16 million, stepping in as a direct replacement for Marc Cucurella, who left for Chelsea. He quickly became a fan favourite at the Amex Stadium, known for his energetic overlaps, precise crossing, and work rate on the flank.
In his two seasons with the Seagulls, he made 104 appearances, scoring five goals and contributing to numerous assists. His attacking presence and defensive solidity helped Brighton secure an historic sixth-place Premier League finish in 2022/23, qualifying them for European football for the first time in club history.
Estupiñán also played in all six group-stage matches in their maiden UEFA Europa League campaign, where Brighton advanced to the round of 16 before being eliminated by AS Roma.
Brighton’s Farewell and Manager’s Praise
Brighton head coach Fabian Hürzeler, who recently took over from Roberto De Zerbi, praised Estupiñán’s professionalism and impact during his stint at the club.
“I have enjoyed working with Pervis, and he has made a significant contribution to the club during his time here,” Hürzeler said.
“He’s at the stage of his career where he wants a fresh challenge, and this opportunity to play in Serie A with a club like Milan gives him that.”
Brighton are expected to look internally and in the transfer market to fill the void left by Estupiñán, with young Irish full-back James Furlong and Polish defender Jakub Moder among those tipped to compete for the left-back slot.
From Watford to Villarreal to the San Siro
Estupiñán’s path to European stardom has been unconventional. He first arrived in England as a teenager when he signed for Watford in 2016 but never made a senior appearance. Instead, he spent four seasons out on loan in Spain with clubs like Granada, Almería, Mallorca, and Osasuna, before signing permanently for Villarreal in 2020.
At Villarreal, he developed into a top-level left-back and was part of the team that famously won the 2021 UEFA Europa League, defeating Manchester United in a dramatic penalty shootout. His performances caught the eye of Brighton’s recruitment team, and he returned to England in 2022 as a much more polished player.
Ecuadorian Influence in Milan
Estupiñán becomes the second Ecuadorian to play for AC Milan after Felipe Caicedo, albeit briefly. He is currently one of Ecuador’s most-capped active players, with over 40 international appearances, and was a key figure for La Tri at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
His move is seen as a boost for Ecuadorian football, which has produced several high-profile exports in recent years, including Moises Caicedo, Kendry Páez, and Piero Hincapié.
What’s Next?
Estupiñán is expected to join Milan’s squad for their upcoming pre-season tour in Hong Kong, where they will face teams Liverpool, Leeds United and Chelsea.
The transfer takes Brighton’s summer earnings from player sales close to £100 million, following previous departures, and pushes Milan’s summer spending above €80 million.
Milan are also reportedly in talks for a new central midfielder and right-sided defender, with more arrivals expected before the Serie A season kicks off in August.