Christian Pulisic has signed a new AC Milan contract running until 30 June 2031, ending months of uncertainty over the American star's future on the eve of the Milan derby.
Milan confirmed the extension on Friday, a day before they face Inter at San Siro in the derby that could define their season. Pulisic's previous deal was due to expire in June 2027, and with Europe's biggest clubs watching the situation, the Rossoneri have moved decisively to lock down their most marketable and productive attacker for the rest of his prime years. He will be 32 when the new contract ends.
From Stamford Bridge cast-off to San Siro cornerstone
The numbers explain why Milan acted. Since joining from Chelsea in July 2023 for around €22 million, Pulisic has scored 44 goals and provided 28 assists in 141 appearances, finishing the 2024-25 season as the club's top scorer. As Reuters reported, Milan's statement said the extension "reflects a shared commitment to building on the progress made together in recent years" — and the money reflects it too, with his salary reported to rise from €4 million to around €5 million net per season, plus bonuses.
A new deal earned the hard way
This contract is also a reward for resilience. Pulisic endured a goal drought through the entire second half of last season, then suffered a bone bruise and microfracture in his right leg during the USA's World Cup round-of-16 defeat to Belgium in the summer, costing him most of Milan's pre-season. His response has been emphatic: a first club goal since December against Lecce on 20 September, then the opener in last weekend's 2-0 win at Udinese — two goals in his last four league appearances and counting, as USA Today detailed.
So what does it mean?
For Ruben Amorim, it removes the biggest cloud over his project a day before the derby: his star forward is not running down a contract or eyeing the exit, he is the face of the rebuild through 2031. For the USMNT, their captain-in-all-but-name is settled at a Champions League club well beyond the next World Cup. And for Milan's rivals, the message is unwelcome — the Pulisic who tormented defences in his first two Italian seasons is fit, firing and going nowhere.
Beyond the Final Whistle: Chelsea sold a squad player; Milan have signed up a superstar. Pulisic's journey from the Stamford Bridge bench to a 2031 contract as the face of AC Milan is one of European football's great career revivals — and tying him down 24 hours before the derby is exactly the kind of statement a club on the rise should make. Is Pulisic now Milan's most important player? Have your say in the comments.
