USMNT defender Sergiño Dest is moving from one European powerhouse to another on the final day of the transfer window.

After being overlooked in Xavi’s new-look Barcelona, Dest is on his way to storied Italian club AC Milan on a one-year, $20 million loan with a potential option to buy.

The loan is fantastic news for Dest, who has seen his playing time dwindling in Catalonia as the 2022 World Cup in Qatar quickly approaches.

AC Milan, currently sitting fifth in the defensive-minded Serie A table, will begin their next Champion’s League run in five days against RB Salzburg. The move will likely make Dest a regular feature in this year’s UCL.

The USMNT star certainly has a better chance of seeing playing time in Milan than in Barcelona. He will also gain more quality Champions League experience with AC Milan than he would’ve seen with Man U or Villareal, the defender’s other reported transfer options. Both squads will compete in the Europa League this season.

Manchester United, who just completed the signing of Antony, had previously shown interest in adding Dest to their Ajax 2.0 project. The Man U deal fell through when Aaron Wan-Bissaka confirmed his stay at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Dest’s Serie A deal is “100% done.”

Featured Image: Pexels/Rana Md Jewel/USSoccerFederation/DM