Empoli Sign 18-Year-Old Bosnian Wonderkid Kevin Pasalić And Bring Him Straight Into Their First Team, Beating AC Milan And AS Roma To His Signature

WHAT HAPPENED?

Pasalić, who currently plays for Swedish minnows IFK Norrkoping in the Allsvenskan, is the latest European wonderkid to join the Empoli ranks, having signed a professional contract with the Serie A side last month.

The 18-year-old centre-back has been a regular feature for IFK Norrkoping’s first team in 2025, already playing 25 matches so far and scoring once.

Pasalić signed that professional contract after reportedly rejecting both Milan and Roma, both of whom were keen to take him into their academy ranks. But with an eye for breaking into senior football, Pasalić has made the switch to Empoli and is expected to join his new team in July.

WHY THIS TRANSFER MATTERS

Pasalić is an incredibly promising young centre-back who has been a regular starter in the Swedish top flight just three months after his 18th birthday. With the potential to develop into a top-class centre-back, he has the potential to nail the starting role at Empoli for years to come.

Crucially for Empoli, he rejected arguably Serie A’s two biggest sides – Milan and Roma – in order to sign with them, proving that they can also compete for the very best young players in Europe.

Indeed, signing a European wonderkid has made a statement that Empoli are capable of competing with the very best clubs in Europe under new manager Fabrizio Castori.

WHAT NEXT FOR EMPOLI AND PASALIĆ

Pasalić is expected to join his new club when his move is officially ratified in July, but he will remain with IFK Norrkoping until then.

He is expected to gradually break into Castori’s first team during the early 2025-26 season as he attempts to help Empoli return to the Champions League.

Having finished 10th in the previous campaign, Empoli have had a large squad turnover in the transfer window as they hope to give themselves a new look and fresh chances of making the top four.