Who is David Odogu, the'latest reinforcement for Milan’s defense
The name is one that is still unknown to most, but it may soon enter the daily discourse of Rossoneri fans: David Odogu, a central defender born in 2006 from Wolfsburg. A profile that intrigues and has already ignited the curiosity of Milan fans, who are invited to type his name on YouTube to discover a young talent who is taking his first steps in professional soccer.
Odogu turned 18 last April and is considered one of the most interesting defensive prospects on the German scene. Growing up in Wolfsburg’s youth sector, he burned his way up to the first team, where he has already collected three Bundesliga appearances in the season just ended. A small haul, but enough to give a glimpse of the physical and technical potential of the youngster, who combines impressive frame, good speed and a sense of anticipation. Prior to this taste in Germany’s top league, he had had no official experience in the pros.
A.C. Milan, after the decision to set the new season on a three-man defense, urgently needs to lengthen the rotations at the back: there are not many center-backs available and the injury of some starters last year showed how short the blanket could become. Hence the idea of focusing on a young, low-cost profile with huge margins for growth.
The operation is closely reminiscent of the one that, in the summer of 2022, brought Malick Thiaw to Milanello from Schalke 04. He too German, he too central, he too arrived from the Bundesliga: but two years older and, above all, already with more than 50 appearances between the top division and German Serie B on his shoulders. Odogu, on the contrary, is much more immature and would be included as a prospect bet, to be grown gradually within a high-level technical and tactical context.
The idea is to replicate a formula that has yielded excellent results in the past: to invest in young, valuable profiles capable of becoming starters in the medium term. If Thiaw took a few months to carve out an important role for himself, Odogu’s path may require more patience, but the qualities are there.
For now, Rossoneri fans can only rely on videos and highlights to find out who David Odogu really is. But Milan seems ready to bet on him: a shot in the arm, with the hope that another piece will arrive from Wolfsburg to build the defense of the future.
