Scouting report, stats, transfer rating and more

AC Milan’s newest summer season signing is maybe the one which arouses essentially the most intrigue, with Zachary Athekame arriving from Younger Boys.

Going into the summer season, the necessity for a brand new right-back grew to become an increasing number of urgent with Kyle Walker, Alessandro Florenzi and Emerson Royal all departing the membership. Numerous names have been linked, however Igli Tare and co. raised eyebrows by going for somebody from the Swiss Tremendous League.

After reaching an settlement with Younger Boys at round €10m for the 20-year-old, Milan introduced the signing of Athekame on Friday morning. He was unveiled in entrance of the followers at San Siro on Sunday earlier than the Bari sport, however was an unused substitute.

So, what can followers count on from the newest Swiss recruit after Ardon Jashari? We now have damaged down Athekame’s profile.

Again story

Regardless of being solely 20, Athekame has had fairly an fascinating profession up to now. The suitable-back has already performed for six golf equipment, and there’s a first rate quantity to get into.

It’s finest to return to the beginning, and it was fairly early for the younger Swiss defender. At simply eight years previous, he was picked up by Athletic-Régina FCthen, a 12 months later, he joined Olympique de Geneve FC, the place he remained till the age of 12.

That is the place he started to make a reputation for himself, and he moved to Servette, the place he spent the following three years of his youth profession. In 2019, he then moved to Meyrin, the place he stayed till 2022.

It was right here when Athekame bought his break, actually, when Neuchâtel Xamax took a punt on the younger defender. So, he moved again to the City the place his mom is from, within the North West of Switzerland, close to the French border.

In his first season with the membership, his minutes have been combined between the senior crew and the youth crew, with him enjoying 26 occasions within the 2022/23 season, scoring twice and helping one other two targets. Although this confirmed how prepared he was for the following step.

Extra Tales about AC Milan

Following that, the Swiss membership moved him completely into the senior crew, as he performed 37 occasions within the following season, throughout the league and the Swiss Problem Cup, scoring twice and helping one other purpose.

It had not taken lengthy for Athekame to go away an impression, one thing that has rapidly develop into a theme of his profession. So, on the thirtieth of December 2023, it was introduced that Younger Boys had secured a transfer for the teenager, which might take impact in the summertime.

The assertion from Xamax was a telling testomony to his character and development till that time, referencing his ‘wonderful work’ within the academy. This was additionally partnered with feedback from Christophe Moulin, the membership’s director of soccer.

“Given Zachary Athekame’s progress and his monumental potential, his switch to BSC Younger Boys is a logical subsequent step in his promising profession. Nevertheless, we have been completely decided to maintain Zachary through the second part of this season as a result of we wish to preserve our targets and put together for his succession.”

Positivity like that’s tough to seek out, but a transfer away being described as a logical step ahead exhibits simply how vibrant the younger defender was considered, and that’s with out even contemplating the reward which he left with.

The suitable-back continued to play many of the season in his favoured place, however Uli Forte, the Xamax coach on the time, entrusted him to play at left-back often when required, displaying that the defender was and is prepared to sacrifice himself for the crew when required. An indication of maturity above his age from a then 18-year-old Athekame.

After signing for Younger Boys, Younger Boys’ sporting director, Steve von Bergen, continued the reward, as Watson relayed in 2023.

“We see lots of potential in him that may be developed. He’s nonetheless very younger, however at 18, he already made 5 appearances for the Swiss U21 nationwide crew, which says so much about his qualities. Zachary Athekame can play on each the appropriate and left facet of defence. It’s the appropriate resolution for everybody concerned that he finishes the present season with Xamax and solely then strikes to YB.”

Final season, the one one during which he performed for Younger Boys, he performed 43 occasions throughout all competitions, even showing within the Champions League on eight events. Although the membership opted to increase his deal in June of 2025, displaying how extremely they believed in his potential, as Nau relayed.

Inside the announcement of the extension, which might have seen him keep on the membership for an additional 12 months till 2029, it was acknowledged that the choice had been made because of him incomes ‘an vital function for himself with convincing performances’.

At 20 years previous, it will not be a shock if the defender had not had any worldwide call-ups, and that is the case with the brand new Milan right-back. Nevertheless, he’s within the house and has already made a couple of appearances for the youth crew.

It’s not a case of his expertise being missed by head coach Murat Yakin, both. As a substitute, the Swiss supervisor is effectively conscious of Athekame and spoke to Gazzetta dello Sport about him earlier this month.

“He’s a really fascinating profile, particularly contemplating his age: he’s not even 21 but. I haven’t coached him with the senior nationwide crew but, however I’ve clearly adopted him carefully each together with his membership and in our youth groups, the place he’s had a really constructive development.

“Regardless of being nonetheless younger, he’s already collected a good quantity of expertise within the Champions League. And he has nice power and tactical intelligence, as effectively.”

It has by no means taken Athekame lengthy to impress, and it could actually solely be hoped that this continues together with his transfer to Italy. Although he has the benefit of youth on his facet, undoubtedly. If historical past, as transient as it might be, exhibits, there’s a lot to look ahead to with him!

Strengths and weaknesses

Athekame confirmed spectacular restoration tempo. When a ricochet left him uncovered, he tracked again rapidly and gained the ball again with ease.

⚡️ Athekame confirmed spectacular restoration tempo — when a ricochet left him uncovered, he tracked again rapidly and gained the ball again with ease. pic.twitter.com/jj6OMZWN7f

— Rohit Rajeev (@keralista) August 20, 2025

Younger Boys wish to press excessive, and Athekame matches proper in, usually stepping out of his line of defense to shut down opponents aggressively.

🔺 Younger Boys wish to press excessive, and Athekame matches proper in — usually stepping out of his line of defense to shut down opponents aggressively. pic.twitter.com/p8pMBb1jkY

— Rohit Rajeev (@keralista) August 20, 2025

Physique orientation is essential for defenders. Right here, Athekame positions himself completely, preserving each Stuttgart gamers inside his arc of imaginative and prescient, able to react both means.

Contained in the field, proximity is all the things. Athekame stays tight to his man, tracks the pass-and-move run, and positions himself completely to intercept.

🛡️ Contained in the field, proximity is all the things. Athekame stays tight to his man, tracks the pass-and-move run, and positions himself completely to intercept. pic.twitter.com/cr0lplocdm

— Rohit Rajeev (@keralista) August 20, 2025

Deep within the field, Athekame exhibits nice consciousness, monitoring his opponent’s motion and making a vital interception for Younger Boys.

🚨 Deep within the field, Athekame exhibits nice consciousness — monitoring his opponent’s motion and making a vital interception for Younger Boys. pic.twitter.com/u5zx70plzn

— Rohit Rajeev (@keralista) August 20, 2025

One recurring trait in Athekame’s sport is his frequent use of slide tackles. Whereas dangerous, his timing is commonly exact, permitting him to dispossess opponents successfully.

On the ball

Athekame performs a key function in Younger Boys’ press resistance. In a single sequence, he slips a intelligent go round his marker right into a teammate’s toes.

ON THE BALLAthekame performs a key function in Younger Boys’ press resistance. In a single sequence, he slips a intelligent go round his marker right into a teammate’s toes. In one other, he receives from the CB and finds his midfielder inside — easy however efficient options beneath strain. pic.twitter.com/q22Q7lySUr

— Rohit Rajeev (@keralista) August 20, 2025

In one other, he receives from the CB and finds his midfielder inside — easy however efficient options beneath strain.

ON THE BALLAthekame performs a key function in Younger Boys’ press resistance. In a single sequence, he slips a intelligent go round his marker right into a teammate’s toes. In one other, he receives from the CB and finds his midfielder inside — easy however efficient options beneath strain. pic.twitter.com/q22Q7lySUr

— Rohit Rajeev (@keralista) August 20, 2025

Within the defensive third of the opponents he would keep within the broad areas by hugging the touchline making it simple for his teammates to make inside runs by the half areas.

Areas to enhance

At simply 20, Athekame remains to be in his developmental years. One clear space for refinement is his positional consciousness in sure phases of play, a side that can sharpen with expertise.

One other space of concern is Athekame’s tendency to make use of his fingers an excessive amount of on opponents. Whereas it exhibits physicality, it dangers conceding fouls, and contained in the field, even a penalty.

AREAS TO IMPROVEAt simply 20, Athekame remains to be in his developmental years. One clear space for refinement is his positional consciousness in sure phases of play — a side that can sharpen with expertise.One other space of concern is Athekame’s tendency to make use of his fingers an excessive amount of… pic.twitter.com/OMJ8zq9Q19

— Rohit Rajeev (@keralista) August 20, 2025

Statistical comparability

From the comparability, it’s clear that Athekame profiles extra as a defensive full-back than an attacking one. This offers Milan steadiness, with Estupiñán pushing ahead on the left, Athekame provides stability on the appropriate.

Whereas Calabria leads in most metrics, Athekame stands out with the best Tackles + Interceptions. For a 20-year-old nonetheless in his developmental stage, these defensive numbers are extremely promising and counsel a strong basis to construct on.

Zachary Athekame vs. Swiss Tremendous League full-backs:

➤ 94th percentile for correct crosses➤ 87th perc. for possessions gained➤ 74th perc. for anticipated assists

🥇 Sliding tackles – 1st🥇 Key passes – 1st🥇 Likelihood creation ratio – 1st🥈 Crosses to field – 2nd

One factor value noting is that the identical plethora of information isn’t accessible for the Swiss Tremendous League because the ‘prime 5’ leagues, however it’s no less than constructive that he excels amongst his friends, with time on his facet to develop.

Conclusion

It might nonetheless be appropriate and accountable to place Athekame within the ‘wait and see’ class, as a result of whereas the uncooked supplies are there, creating right into a prime Serie A defender is one thing that few gamers from overseas really do.

He has very large potential on the age of simply 20 and if the trajectory continues, he might develop into the long-term answer on that facet.

With some defensive stability on the appropriate (in idea) and extra of an attacking thrust on the left, is that this the steadiness Milan want?

Switch score: 6.5/10