Camarda profiled as 15-year-old with 483 goals in 87 games makes Milan debut
The San Siro crowd screamed out a new name for the first time at the weekend when Francesco Camarda was introduced on 83 minutes.
At just 15 and 260 days the striker, who has sped through the club's youth ranks, was given the first-team opportunity that many have been screaming for. Even before his 16th birthday Camarda has been making waves in age grades meant for players three years his senior.
The teenager has scored 483 goals in 87 games for AC Milan’s youth teams. One of those was a scissor kick in a win over Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Youth League three weeks ago, which only furthered the desire to see him rub shoulders with the senior squad.
It was Luka Jovic who came off to allow Camarda to enter the fray. Fiorentina were the opponents. They are a team the teenager knows having headed in the winner against them to decide the championship final at under-15s level.
Milan have been hit by a raft of injuries and suspensions that has seen the likes of Rafael Leao and Olivier Giroud sidelined. As a result the Serie A giants opted to get the dispensation needed to register Camarda, reports the Athletic. Manager Stefano Poli said: “If he’s in the squad, it means he’s available to play.
Saint-Maximin addresses five-month exile at Newcastle - "I want to be honest"“It’ll depend on how the game goes. He’s worked well over the last few days. Being a part of this experience, even if he doesn’t play, will be very formative for him. And he’s definitely got a big future ahead of him.”
England centre-half Fikayo Tomori has joked: “It’s crazy watching him. He’s 15. I don’t even know where I was when I was that age. He moves well in the penalty area. If he comes on, the team will definitely help him.”
Camarda will return to train with Milan’s U19s this weekend and won't be involved in the Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund. He, unsurprisingly, wasn't registered in their European squad and his next possible involvement will come next week against Frosinone, when Giroud will be suspended.
Milan haven't been afraid to throw in a youngster they trust. Someone of Camarda's age is perhaps an extreme example, but Gianluigi Donnarumma made his first outing for the San Siro outfit in 2015 at the age of 16 years and 242 days - making him the second-youngest goalkeeper to start a match in the history of Italian football.