Tajon Buchanan is set to become the first Canadian to play in Serie A after his transfer from Brugge to Italian leader Inter Milan was announced Friday.
“I’m really proud to be the first Canadian in the Italian league,” Buchanan said. “It’s a big achievement.”
The transfer fee for the 24-year-old was 7 million euros ($7.7 million US) but could rise to 10 million euros ($11 million) with bonuses, according to the Gazzetta dello Sport.
Having signed a contract through 2027-28, the Brampton, Ont., native will earn about 1.5 million euros ($1.6 million) per season.
With Juan Cuadrado injured and Denzel Dumfries’s contract still not renewed, Buchanan gives coach Simone Inzaghi a new option on the right wing. He has played at both right back and in midfield as a winger.
“I’m a versatile player. I can play in a number of [positions] but my aim is just to learn as much as possible, make myself available for the team and adapt to a new style of play,” Buchanan told Inter’s website.
A new strength is rising 🇨🇦<a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForzaInter?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#ForzaInter</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/WelcomeTajon?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#WelcomeTajon</a> <a href=”https://t.co/qC8PsyLD5u”>pic.twitter.com/qC8PsyLD5u</a>
—@Inter_en
Buchanan played on Canada’s team at the last World Cup and is part of a strong generation of young players from his country alongside Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David.
“I’m a really direct player and I like to go one-on-one with the defender and operate in the half spaces around the opposition penalty area, creating numerical superiority,” Buchanan said. “I can definitely improve in the defensive phase.”
