Chaka Traore became the latest youngster to break into Stefano Pioli’s Milan squad this season, but who is the talented left winger?
The 19-year-old Ivorian forward closed out the Rossoneri’s 3-0 win over Empoli on Sunday afternoon, scoring a calm finish in the 88th minute to cap off a positive afternoon in Tuscany for Pioli’s team.
His debut league goal came just days after he found the back of the net in Milan’s Coppa Italia win over Cagliari at the start of the new year and now, he’s quickly started to excite his new fanbase.
Born in the Ivory coast, Traore moved to Italy at the age of 11 and moved to the city of Parma with his agent, who was later found guilty of assisting illegal immigration. He joined local academy club U.S. Audace, where he began his footballing career.
In 2017, he was highlighted by Parma scouts at the regional amateur championships and joined the club’s Under-17 squad. Traore quickly impressed at the club and soon became the first player born in 2004 to make his debut in Serie A, playing his first topflight game against Milan in April 2021.
The following summer, Traore joined the Rossoneri in a deal worth around €600,000 and joined their Primavera squad. He impressed at youth level, scoring 20 goals and providing 15 assists across 69 matches, and his development convinced Pioli to promote him to the first team.
The 19-year-old made his first team debut in the 3-1 win over Frosinone at the start of December and netted his first goal for the senior side in the Coppa Italia win over Cagliari on January 2 of this year, convincing Pioli to deploy him as a substitute against Empoli this afternoon, where he scored again.
Froza chaka traore amin froza milan