AC Milan have coughed up €20m to land Real Madrid fullback Theo Hernandez.

Theo passed a Milan medical on Monday before signing a five-year contract yesterday.

Milan director Paolo Maldini was key to the deal. He personally convinced the player during a meeting in Ibiza to reject a proposal from Bayer Leverkusen.

Maldini considers Theo fundamental for the new project of coach Marco Giampaolo and wanted to bet on his talent despite having in the same position Ricardo Rodríguez, Diego Laxalt and Iván Strinic.

Theo spent last season on-loan with Real Sociedad.