Galatasaray add Portugal winger Rafael Leao after AC Milan exit

Portugal winger Rafael Leao has joined Galatasaray from AC Milan, completing a move to the Turkish club on 29 August 2026.

The 27-year-old left winger arrives at Galatasaray after seven seasons with Milan, where he won the Serie A title in 2021-22 and the Italian Super Cup in 2024-25. He was also named Serie A Player of the Year for the 2021-22 campaign and received the Footballer of the Year award in 2022.

Leao made the switch to Milan from Lille in August 2019, with the Italian club paying €49.5m for the Portugal international. He had joined Lille from Sporting in 2018 after progressing through the Portuguese club’s youth system.

The forward’s latest club move follows his involvement for Portugal at the 2026 World Cup. He played in all five of the country’s possible matches, recording one goal and one assist. Leao was also part of Portugal’s Nations League-winning team in 2025.

Born in Almada, Leao stands 1.88m tall and is naturally positioned on the left side of attack, while favouring his right foot. His honours also include a European Under-17 Championship with Portugal in 2016 and a runners-up finish at the European Under-21 Championship in 2021.

Leao joins Galatasaray with a market value of €50m, having previously reached a highest recorded valuation of €90m. He becomes part of a club competing in the Turkish Super Lig after spending the entirety of his senior European club career in Portugal, France and Italy.

His arrival adds an established Portugal international and a recent World Cup participant to Galatasaray’s squad. Leao’s career record includes domestic success with AC Milan, individual recognition in Serie A and international silverware with Portugal.

The transfer was registered on 29 August, with Leao leaving AC Milan to begin his Galatasaray career.