Joao Felix has joined AC Milan on loan for the remainder of the season, it has been confirmed.

The 25-year-old will spend the second half of the 2024/25 campaign at the San Siro, with the Serie A side paying Chelsea a £4.5million loan fee. They will also cover all of the Portugal international's wages and there is no buy option included in the deal.

Aston Villa had previously expressed an interest in Felix but Unai Emery's side instead signed Marcus Rashford from Manchester United and Marco Asensio from PSG on loan. Felix's move to AC Milan progressed quickly on deadline day but the deal was not announced until Tuesday.

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Felix made 20 appearances for Chelsea this term but struggled to break into Enzo Maresca's starting XI. The former Atletico Madrid man scored seven goals and also managed two assists during his 947 minutes on the pitch.

Confirming the news on their website, AC Milan said: "AC Milan is delighted to announce the signing of João Félix Sequeira from Chelsea FC. The Portuguese attacker has signed a contract with the Club lasting until 30 June 2025.

"Born in Viseu, Portugal, on 10 November 1999, he developed as a player in his home country - at Padroense and Porto - before joining Benfica, where he made his first-team debut in 2017 and won the Portuguese league title. In 2019, he moved to Atletico Madrid, with whom he won La Liga, after which he wore the shirts of Barcelona and Chelsea. To date, João Félix has scored 75 goals in 259 appearances over the course of his career.

"In June 2019, João made his debut for Portugal. He has scored nine goals in 45 appearances for his country, winning the 2019 Nations League. João Félix will wear the number 79 shirt."