Serie A: Inter Milan sign Nigerian wonderkid, Richy Agbonifo on permanent deal

FEMI FABUNMI 

Inter Milan have completed the signing of Nigerian youth international Richi Agbonifo from Hellas Verona on a permanent transfer, the Serie A giants announced on Friday.

The 19-year-old forward, who has been on the radar of several top clubs in Italy, joins Inter after more than a decade at Hellas Verona, where he progressed through the club’s youth ranks. Agbonifo arrived at Verona’s academy at just six years old and steadily developed into one of their most exciting attacking prospects.

A versatile and technically gifted player, Agbonifo is capable of playing across the frontline. While his natural role is that of a winger, he has also featured effectively as a second striker, central forward, and even as an attacking midfielder.

His agility, composure on the ball, and creativity in the final third have drawn comparisons to some of Serie A’s top emerging talents.

Though the financial details of the deal have not been officially disclosed, sources close to the negotiations confirmed that the move is a full transfer and not a loan arrangement. Verona confirmed the completion of the deal via a statement on their official channels on Friday.

Agbonifo becomes the latest addition to Inter Milan’s growing group of young signings, as the club continues to prioritize the development of future stars while maintaining competitiveness at the top level. The club sees Agbonifo as a long-term investment, with coaches reportedly impressed by his maturity and attacking intelligence during youth competitions.

Meanwhile, Inter are also actively working to secure the services of another Nigerian forward, Ademola Lookman, from Atalanta. Talks are ongoing between the two clubs, and the player is said to be open to the transfer, which could further bolster Inter’s attacking depth ahead of the upcoming Serie A campaign.

With pre-season preparations well underway, Agbonifo is expected to link up with Inter’s first team in the coming days, where he will begin training under head coach Simone Inzaghi. Whether he will be integrated immediately into the senior squad or start with the Primavera (U-19) team remains to be seen.

Agbonifo’s arrival signals Inter Milan’s continued commitment to scouting and developing international talent, particularly from Africa, as they build for both present success and future dominance in Italian football.