​Spanish defender Mario Gila saluted Lazio fans after completing his transfer to AC Milan on Friday evening. The 25-year-old was set to depart the Biancocelesti this summer as his contract was due to expire next year, and a renewal with Claudio Lotito appeared unlikely. While Napoli and Atalanta vied for his signature, Milan outpaced them with a larger offer for both the player and Lazio, reportedly agreeing to sell Gila to the Rossoneri for €30 million, with Real Madrid set to receive a 50% sell-on fee on Lazio’s profit. Gila, for his part, signed a five-year contract that is said to guarantee him a yearly net salary of €4-5 million.
On Friday, Milan announced the deal with an official statement on the club’s website, and Lazio confirmed the transfer through their own official note. SS Lazio stated that Mario Gila has completed a permanent transfer to AC Milan. Gila leaves the club after making 120 appearances and scoring two goals. The club expressed its gratitude for his commitment and contribution and wished him ongoing success and happiness in the future.
Soon after the announcements, Lazio’s official YouTube channel released a video featuring a heartfelt message from Gila to the club and its supporters, who will always hold a special place in his heart. In the clip, the defender appears visibly emotional as he reflects on leaving after four years that saw him evolve from a promising youngster to a top-tier defender. “Hi guys, how are you? I think this is goodbye,” he begins. “I’d like to thank you all. From the very first moment I arrived here, it was an incredibly emotional experience. I was just a young kid who had only recently learned what it felt like to be a professional footballer. Over time, I met people and encountered circumstances that shaped me into the person I am today. I’d like to thank the fans, my teammates, everyone who works in and around the dressing room, my family, and all the people close to me who have always believed in me. To the fans, my teammates, the coaches, the staff, and everyone involved with Lazio: thank you for everything you’ve given me. Lazio believes we can achieve even greater things, and I’m convinced that’s true as well. You deserve everything because you’re an incredible club. You gave me so much love. You made me feel incredibly important. I don’t know if I’ll ever find this kind of love again, because this city is extraordinary and it will always hold a special place in my heart. I say goodbye with immense pain in my heart. Forza Lazio, always.” The message underscores the deep bond Gila formed with Lazio’s supporters and the lasting impact the club had on his professional and personal growth.