Highly-rated Italy Under-21 defender Alessio Romagnoli has joined AC Milan from Roma for a reported fee of 25million euros (Dhs101.3m).

The 20-year-old product of the Giallorossi academy made his senior debut in December 2012 and recently impressed during his season-long loan spell at Sampdoria, for whom he made 30 league appearances, scoring two goals.

Romagnoli signed a new four-year contract with Roma in May 2014 but has now switched allegiances to Milan, who on Tuesday afternoon announced his arrival at San Siro on a five-year deal.

Vice-president Adriano Galliani told his club’s official website: “Welcome Alessio, you have signed a contract with us until June 30, 2020 and that’s something we’re all very happy about.

“You’re still only a boy, you’re 20 years old, and you’ll need plenty of time before becoming a mainstay in our team, someone who can look after the ball like one of the greats from the Rossoneri school of defending.”