Senegal prospect El Hadji Malick Cisse joins AC Milan’s development programme

Senegalese defender El Hadji Malick Cisse has joined AC Milan after being linked with FC Barcelona and attracting interest from Burnley and Ipswich Town.

The 18-year-old central defender, who can also operate in other positions, moved to Italy at the beginning of 2026. He is now part of Milan Futuro, the club’s development project for young players aiming to progress into the senior squad competing in Serie A.

Cisse is a product of Be Sport Academy in Senegal, which has a partnership with the Spanish club. He previously attended a training camp at FC Barcelona before choosing AC Milan as the next stage of his development.

Mansour Drame, the sporting director of Be Sport Academy, told Africafoot in an exclusive interview that Cisse is a highly promising player and believes he could make his first-team debut for AC Milan during this season.

The defender’s move to Milan came despite interest from other clubs. As well as his spell with FC Barcelona, Cisse had been pursued by Burnley and Ipswich Town before deciding to continue his career in Italy.

His early progress has already brought him close to the senior set-up. Cisse has made six appearances for AC Milan’s reserve side at the start of the season and regularly trains with the group preparing for Serie A matches.

The club are regarded as having significant plans for the Senegal international, who is being developed as part of the pathway between the reserve team and the first team.

Cisse’s arrival also reinforces the role of Be Sport Academy in producing young Senegalese talent for European football. Drame considers the player one of the academy’s leading prospects and expects him to take another step forward with AC Milan.

AC Milan are due to face Salzburg in their second Europa League match.