Who is Zachary Athekame, the 21-year-old Swiss defender set for OL loan from AC Milan? | OneFootball

Zachary Athekame is set to join OL on a straight loan from AC Milan, adding depth on the right side of Lyon’s defence.

The Geneva-born right-back, 21, turned professional with Neuchâtel Xamax in 2022 then moved to Young Boys, playing 47 top-flight games and scoring once in 2024-2025. Milan paid 10 M€ in 2025 to sign him as cover after he prioritised the Rossoneri, though Gazzetta dello Sport reports that a French club had offered 13 M€.

He was fast-tracked in Milan as the right flank was stripped in summer 2025, with Emerson Royal, Alessandro Florenzi, Alex Jimenez, Kyle Walker, Davide Calabria and Pierre Kalulu all departing. Athekame featured 29 times, mostly as a substitute, logging 900 minutes at right wing-back.

At Young Boys he was consistently used at right-back in a back four, with fewer forward runs and greater defensive responsibility, which suited his schooling. His numbers highlight secure ball use and accuracy in crossing and passing, and his Milan year sharpened his attacking contribution, including two assists from crosses.

Defensively he relishes sliding tackles, often after high-intensity recoveries, and was the Super League’s standout full-back in that specific area during his Bern season. Beyond minutes, his move probably reflects a push to reach the Nati, having earned 17 Under-21 caps in 2023 and received a 2025 senior call-up against Slovenia under Murat Yakin without playing, after which he has not been recalled.

Source: L'Équipe

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