Primavera, Futuro players

[ZvonimirBoban]

Galliani announces Mastour now a first-team member.

WHAT THE HECK?

Way to add unnecessary pressure on this poor kid, or way to push up his price?

[reza]

This is a joke right? He is 16 only next month isn't he?

[ACMILAN1983]

Yep, he'll turn 16 next month. A little insane, but a decision I'm less concerned about knowing we've done it in the past successfully (Maldini). He's a phenomenal talent, but he needs someone who will let him grow in peace, not overload any pressure on him and just let him learn, introducing him slowly. Let's also not forget that both Cristante (I think) and Darmian played for the first team at 16, even if in their cases it was just a one off match.

The biggest worry I have is he's jumping straight from Allievi and hasn't even featured much at Primavera. There's no doubt in my mind though, this is an attempt to keep him at Milan following recent rumours that clubs were after him just a couple of weeks ago.

[reza]

Doesn't the under 18 transfer ban apply within EU?

[Mystik]

Yea I really don't know what they are trying to achieve by announcing him as a first team player now. It is probably something contractual as Dev said. I doubt he will get much (if any) playing time. He only played a handful of games at the Primavera level.

[ACMILAN1983]

Transfer bans do apply, but if I'm correct until he's under a professional contract (which he's too young for) there's a possibility of losing him without a transfer. I'm not sure what the minimum age is to sign a professional contract (I think Cristante was signed at 18, but I've not seen any real consistency regarding this), but until that point we need to do what's necessary to keep him. Giving him a role in the first team squad is a clear sign to him and those around him that he's considered an invaluable part of our future, meaning he'll feel more motivated to stay.

Essentially I think part of this decision is to avoid a Giuseppe Rossi situation. Anyway, maybe he should get his own thread now?

[ACMILAN1983]

Interesting, we've now secured Cosimo La Ferrara, who is the same age as Mastour to a professional contract.

http://www.milannews.it/altre-notizie/ac...ara-144534

http://www.milannews.it/primo-piano/escl...our-144547

I know pretty much nothing about him, other than he's apparently 15 and a midfielder. I think there are a couple of youtube videos around, but haven't seen them myself.

[Mystik]

Is he currently one of our Allevi players? I think we have 1 or 2 in the Italy U-17 team

[xudong]

Doesn't the under 18 transfer ban apply within EU?

maybe someone with expertise can educate us on that one? somehow I thought that it is applicable to young players from overseas? your own youth products probably are fine.

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Transfer bans do apply, but if I'm correct until he's under a professional contract (which he's too young for) there's a possibility of losing him without a transfer. I'm not sure what the minimum age is to sign a professional contract (I think Cristante was signed at 18, but I've not seen any real consistency regarding this), but until that point we need to do what's necessary to keep him. Giving him a role in the first team squad is a clear sign to him and those around him that he's considered an invaluable part of our future, meaning he'll feel more motivated to stay.

Essentially I think part of this decision is to avoid a Giuseppe Rossi situation. Anyway, maybe he should get his own thread now?

What was the Giuseppe Rossi situation, Dev?

[Nalx]

I've read that in our various youth teams, the current Allievi team is the most promising one with prospects like Mastour, Cutrone, Modic being the stand-out players. Never heard about that Ferarra kid though and I have no idea why we promoted him and Hachim to the first team so soon either.