Charles De Ketelaere has finally scored his first goals in Serie A for Atalanta and for the Belgium squad, insisting ‘it was my decision’ to leave Milan this summer.
The creative midfielder joined the Rossoneri in 2022 after a lengthy negotiation process, making the transfer from Club Brugge for €36.5m plus bonuses and a 12 per cent cut of the sell-on fee.
He failed to make an impact, not managing a single goal or assist in all competition during his debut season.
Considered a costly flop, he was loaned out to Atalanta for €3m with an option to buy set at €23m plus €4m in bonuses and a 10 per cent cut of the future sale fee.
“That was not a good season for me at Milan, so it was my decision to leave in order to play more regularly and rediscover my form on the pitch,” De Ketelaere told gianlucadimarzio.com.
“Now I want to prove to everyone who I really am and I think I’m starting to achieve that. I am very happy to be with Atalanta, the start to the season has been really good.”
Although he is only on loan, De Ketelaere seems to feel as if he has completely cut ties with Milan, especially as previous directors Paolo Maldini and Frederic Massara have been fired.
“I am concentrated only on the next game. I am an Atalanta player now, so I cannot give my view on what Milan might do.
“I had a good rapport with Maldini, he was a great player, is a wonderful person and also a great sporting director. Just look at what he achieved with Milan.”