Nigerian-Italian defender Michael Kayode has completed a loan move to Brentford from Fiorentina, the Premier League club announced on Friday.
Kayode joins the Bees on a short-term loan, with the deal subject to international clearance and an option to make it permanent in the summer.
He is here. 🇮🇹🐝 pic.twitter.com/KpaAX5P3tI
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) January 24, 2025
Brentford director of football Phil Giles expressed his delight with Kayode, adding that he is a player they have followed for a while.
“Michael is a player that we think will suit Brentford and the physical nature of the Premier League very well,” Giles told the club website. “We have watched him for a while, and he has probably been a bit unlucky not to play more games already this season.
“The structure of the deal gives us the chance to integrate him into the squad and Premier League football before we look towards making the deal permanent from the summer.”
The 20-year-old starred for Fiorentina last season with one goal and four assists in 37 matches in all competitions, including one goal and two assists in 26 Serie A games. He helped La Viola reach the UEFA Europa Conference League final last season, making six appearances as they lost to Olympiacos.
Kayode has, however, found game time hard this season with 12 appearances in all competitions, including only five in Serie A.
Born in Italy to Nigerian parents, Michael Kayode represents the European country, having played in the youth setup.
He will wear the number 33 shirt at Brentford, with the Bees set for a visit to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace on Sunday.
