| Date of birth: | 21.12.1991 |
| Place of birth: | Forlì |
| Age: | 21 |
| Height: | 1,84 |
| Nationality: | Italy |
| Position: | Striker – Secondary Striker |
| Foot: | right |
| Market value: | 3.000.000 € |
| Player’s agent: | Manuel Montipò |
Milan have paid €3.75m + €0.25m in bonuses for 50% of Saponara. Parma own the other half of the player. Parma bought the other 50% last summer (2012) for €1.7m.
Riccardo Saponara will finish the season with Empoli and then join Milan in July. He has signed a 5-year contract with Milan and his salary will be €350.000 per year.
Saponara will be part of the Milan squad for the 2013/2014 season, which continues its work of renewal under the so called “youth project” and Milan CEO, Adriano Galliani, has hailed the youngster with high regards and has even compared Saponara with Milan’s Ballon d’or winner Kaka, the undisputed idol of Richard. The elegance of movement, ease of shooting, the ability and the work rate he is showing actually evoke the movements of the former Milan star.
The news of his move to AC Milan first arrived during the winter transfer window, but the youngster kept himself to the ground as he continued to work hard with Empoli, giving out top performances each time he was called upon, dragging them to the playoffs and then to the final-derby against Livorno. However, Empoli lost their second leg play-off match yesterday, losing out the chance for the Serie A promotion. But the fact that Saponara has done what it takes to attract a big club like AC Milan is undeniable and expectations are already high amongst the Rosonerri fans over the prospect of seeing the next Kaka at the San Siro.
Here is a video of the soon-to-be Milan player in action against Livorno in the first leg of the final for promotion to Serie A.
Gazzetta dello Sport elected Riccardo Saponara as the Man of the Match (second match in a row) with a rating of 7,5 on a scale from 1 to 10.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=UCO2D07mzgo