Daniel Maldini, son of soccer great Paolo Maldini, completed his move to title-chasing Atalanta from Monza on Saturday. Atalanta confirmed the news on February 1, 2025, without disclosing full details of the permanent deal. Italian media reports reveal Atalanta has paid Monza about €14 million ($14.6 million) for the 23-year-old Maldini, with half of the fee going to his former club, AC Milan.
Daniel Maldini progressed through the youth ranks at AC Milan, where both his father, Paolo, and grandfather, Cesare, had storied careers. Paolo Maldini holds the record for the most appearances in Serie A and is regarded as one of the game's greats, spending his entire playing career at Milan and earning 25 major trophies, including five European Cups and seven league titles.
Daniel made his senior debut for AC Milan at only 18 years old, becoming the third member of the Maldini family to lift the Serie A title when he did so with Milan in 2022. After several loan spells at Spezia and Empoli, he joined Monza, where he scored three goals and provided one assist over 20 league matches this season. Recently, he was also called up to the Italy national squad, making his debut with two caps so far.
Atalanta is currently positioned third in Serie A, seven points behind leaders Napoli. With the Champions League knockout playoffs approaching, Daniel's arrival is seen as timely, especially since Atalanta is losing key players, including Nicolo Zaniolo, who has departed the club, and Ademola Lookman, who is injured.
The reported transfer fee structures Daniel's new deal, which includes around €10 million as the fixed cost plus up to €4 million contingent upon performance-related bonuses. Now contracted until June 2029, this move symbolizes Atalanta's confidence in Daniel's potential to make waves within the league.
Daniel is viewed as the perfect player to fill the gaps left by departing teammates. His past experiences and successes at Monza equipped him with valuable skills he will leverage at Atalanta. He has expressed excitement about this step, stating he looks forward to contributing significantly to Atalanta's aspirations.
With heavy hearts, fans of AC Milan reflect on the legacy of the Maldini family—a lineage marred with unmatched success on the field and now adding the next chapter through young Daniel.
While the potential for regret exists if Maldini thrives at Atalanta, particularly paralleled with the earlier case of Charles De Ketelaere, the financial boost from the deal is nonetheless cherished at Milan, especially as the club looks to invest actively during the transfer window.
This moment is not only pivotal for Daniel's career but also for Atalanta as they aim to capitalize on their current form and strengthen their roster with fresh talent. The question remains: will Daniel Maldini continue the family legacy of excellence, one game at a time?