Done Deal: Fiorentina send Kayode to Brentford for 16m | OneFootball

Fiorentina have shaken hands with Premier League side Brentford for Italy Under-21 international Michael Kayode, on loan with €16m option to buy.

“I thank everyone for all you have given me, from the youth academy to the first team,” Kayode told Firenzeviola.it as he left the Viola Park training ground to fly out to London.

“I grew up along with you and if I make this next step in my career, it is also thanks to you. You will always be in my heart. I am disappointed with the way this happened. Thank you.”

The 20-year-old was finding playing time difficult to come by under coach Raffaele Palladino this season and had been linked with numerous different clubs, including Ajax, Roma, Parma, Como and Brighton and Hove Albion.

However, Brentford were the most determined to make the deal stick and multiple sources including transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Sportitalia and Sky Sport Italia are confident that the agreement has been reached.

Kayode terms agreed with Brentford

epa10896286 Fiorentina’s Michael Kayode celebrates scoring the 2-0 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between ACF Fiorentina and Cagliari Calcio in Florence, Italy, 02 October 2023. EPA-EFE/CLAUDIO GIOVANNINI

It will be a six-month loan with option to buy at the end of the season for a total €16m, including some clauses that make it an obligation if certain conditions are met.

Kayode plays primarily as a right-back, but can also work on the left flank and is a product of the Fiorentina youth academy.

He was part of the Italy squad that won the Under-19 European Championship in 2023 and won the 2024 Italian Golden Boy Award as the most promising young player from the Peninsula.