Divock Origi’s AC Milan Contract Terminated After 20 Months Without Playing

AC Milan have officially terminated Divock Origi’s contract by mutual consent, ending one of the most disappointing transfers in the club’s recent history. The Belgian striker has not played a competitive match for the Rossoneri since May 2023—a staggering 20 months of inactivity while collecting a lucrative salary.

The 30-year-old’s departure was confirmed on December 23, 2025, in a brief statement: “AC Milan announces that it has mutually terminated the contract with striker Divock Origi. The Club wishes the player all the best for the future.”

Origi joined Milan as a free agent from Liverpool in July 2022, arriving with high expectations after the Rossoneri’s Scudetto triumph. What followed was catastrophic failure, with him becoming one of the worst signings in Milan’s history, costing approximately €13.76 million while contributing virtually nothing on the pitch.

The Numbers Behind the Disaster

The financial details of Divock Origi’s Milan tenure paint a stark picture of waste and inefficiency. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Belgian striker was earning approximately €4 million net per season, or roughly €300,000 per month. His original contract was set to run until June 2026, but Milan desperately sought to remove him from their wage bill long before the natural expiration date.

Over his three-and-a-half-year association with the club, Origi cost Milan a total of €13.1 million gross in wages. This figure accounts for the fact that Nottingham Forest covered his salary during the 2023-24 season loan spell. Additionally, Milan paid €660,000 in agent commissions when they signed the striker in summer 2022, bringing the total investment to approximately €13.76 million.

For that substantial investment, Milan received just two goals and one assist across 36 appearances—all of which came during his first and only active season with the club. The goals, scored against Monza and Sassuolo, were described as spectacular strikes, but they represented the only highlights in an otherwise dismal tenure.

The Decline: From Promise to Exile

Divock Origi’s first season at AC Milan in 2022-23 showed initial promise despite meager statistical returns. He made 36 appearances across all competitions, but a combination of injuries and difficulties adapting to Italian football meant he never found rhythm.

His struggles were compounded by tactical issues. The Belgian forward couldn’t fit into Milan’s system, and his work rate and defensive contribution—crucial in Serie A—were frequently questioned. By season’s end, Milan sought to offload him.

Unable to find a permanent buyer, Milan loaned Origi to Nottingham Forest for 2023-24, hoping English football might reignite his career. The loan proved equally disappointing: just one goal in 22 appearances. Forest opted not to pursue a permanent deal.

Upon returning to Milan in July 2024, Origi was completely frozen out. He was relegated to training with Milan Futuro, the U23 side, in a transparent attempt to force his departure, and never played another competitive match for the Rossoneri.

The Standoff: Refusing to Leave

What made Divock Origi’s situation particularly frustrating for AC Milan was his stubborn refusal to terminate his lucrative contract early. Despite being exiled from the club and having no pathway back, Origi was content to collect his substantial €4 million annual salary without playing football.

Reports throughout 2024-2025 indicated Milan desperately sought early termination to free up wages for players who could actually contribute. However, Origi reportedly demanded a golden handshake worth approximately €2 million—roughly half his remaining salary through June 2026.

For months, negotiations dragged on. Milan were reluctant to pay substantial severance for a non-contributing player, while Origi saw no reason to walk away from guaranteed money.

During this standoff, Origi stopped training at Milan’s Milanello facility altogether. Reports indicated he was working with a personal trainer in Rome and Florence, maintaining fitness independently while remaining under contract—technically employed but completely disconnected from team activities.

The Resolution: Mutual Consent

The breakthrough finally came in December 2025, hours after Milan confirmed Niclas Fullkrug’s loan arrival from West Ham. Multiple Italian publications reported the paperwork had been signed on December 23, 2025, terminating Origi’s contract by mutual consent.

While exact financial terms remain undisclosed, Milan likely agreed to some severance payment. The club decided paying to remove him was preferable to continuing the untenable situation for another six months.

The timing was symbolic—Milan made a fresh start at striker, bringing in a proven goalscorer while removing deadweight that plagued them for nearly two years.

The Liverpool Legacy

The contrast between Divock Origi’s Liverpool success and Milan failure makes his Italian adventure baffling. During seven years at Anfield (2015-2022), Origi became a genuine cult hero despite never being a regular starter.

He made 175 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 41 goals and providing 17 assists. More importantly, he delivered campaign-defining moments remembered for decades, particularly his 2019 Champions League contributions.

In the semi-final second leg against Barcelona, Origi scored twice in a miraculous 4-0 victory overturning a 3-0 first-leg deficit. His second goal came from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s quickly-taken corner that caught Barcelona off-guard.

He then scored Liverpool’s second in the Champions League final against Tottenham in Madrid, sealing the 2-0 victory. His late Merseyside derby winner and numerous crucial goals earned him legendary status among Liverpool supporters.

What Went Wrong?

Several factors contributed to Divock Origi’s catastrophic failure at AC Milan:

Age and Motivation: At 27 when joining Milan, Origi may have already peaked. Having won major trophies at Liverpool and secured a lucrative contract, questions arose about his hunger to prove himself again.

Tactical Fit: Serie A’s demands—tactical discipline and defensive work rate—may not have suited Origi’s style. He thrived as Liverpool’s impact substitute but struggled adapting to Italian football’s different rhythms.

Injury Issues: Physical problems disrupted his first season, preventing momentum and confidence building.

Mental Approach: Once frozen out, Origi’s decision to simply collect salary rather than fight for his place suggested problematic mentality. His refusal to engage with Milan Futuro indicated he had mentally checked out.

System Dependency: Origi’s Liverpool success may have been more system-dependent than thought. Jurgen Klopp’s ability to maximize strengths while minimizing weaknesses may have masked limitations.

Free Agent Future

Divock Origi is now a free agent and can sign immediately. At 30, he theoretically has productive years ahead if he can rediscover form and motivation. However, his reputation has been severely damaged.

Potential suitors will be wary of his inactivity, questionable commitment, and inability to perform outside his comfort zone. While his Liverpool legacy might attract interest from clubs hoping to resurrect his career, the financial demands could prove a barrier.

The Belgian will need to accept reduced wages and prove hunger to play again. Whether he possesses that motivation after spending 20 months happily collecting paychecks without playing remains an open question.

Divock Origi’s AC Milan contract termination closes one of the most disappointing chapters in recent Serie A transfer history. What was meant to be a shrewd free agent acquisition of a Champions League-proven striker became a cautionary tale about motivation, fit, and the dangers of paying substantial wages to players who have already achieved their career goals.

For Milan, removing Origi from the wage bill represents addition by subtraction. The club can now move forward with players genuinely committed to contributing, having learned an expensive lesson about due diligence and the importance of assessing not just ability but also hunger and attitude.

For Origi, the challenge now is whether he can resurrect a career that has flatlined spectacularly over the past two and a half years. His Liverpool legacy remains intact in the hearts of Reds supporters, but his professional reputation has taken a severe hit that will require significant effort to repair.

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