Inter Milan have completed the re-signing of defender Aleksandar Stanković from Club Bruges for a reported fee of €23 million. The move sees the 22-year-old return to the club he initially came through the youth system at, having departed for Belgium last season.
Stanković progressed through the Inter Milan academy, being included in the first-team squad on several occasions without making a senior appearance. He spent a loan period at Lucerne before securing a permanent transfer to Club Bruges in the summer of 2025 for a fee of €9.5 million. He has since established himself as a regular in the Belgian Pro League, contributing to their run to the Champions League knockout stages in the 2025/2026 season.
The transfer represents a significant profit for Club Bruges, who have effectively doubled their investment in the Serbian defender within a year. For Inter, the re-acquisition of Stanković has been described as surprising by some observers, given his previous lack of opportunities with the club. The move has prompted questions about talent management within Italian football, with some suggesting that promising players are too readily allowed to leave.
Stanković has signed a contract with Inter Milan that will keep him at the club until 2031. The defender’s return adds depth to Inter’s defensive options as they look to continue their dominance in Serie A, having recently secured the league title and Coppa Italia double. He will compete with established players for a starting position, bringing a fresh perspective and recent European experience to the squad. The signing could also be seen as an investment in the future, with Stanković still young and possessing considerable potential for further development.
Aleksandar Stanković is the son of former Inter Milan and Serbia international Dejan Stanković, a highly respected figure in Italian football. His return to the club carries a certain sentimental value, adding another layer to the narrative surrounding the transfer.
