Brentford has made Michael Kayode’s stay in west London official, signing the Italian defender to a long-term contract that runs through 2030, with an option to extend for one additional year.

The deal closes a loop that started January 24, 2025, when Kayode arrived at Brentford on loan from Fiorentina. The permanent transfer carries a reported fee of €17.5 million.

From loan window to long-term fixture

The 20-year-old right back joined Brentford mid-season as the club looked to shore up its defensive options in the Premier League. His performances during the loan spell were convincing enough that the club moved quickly to make the arrangement permanent once the window allowed.

A €17.5 million outlay is not trivial for a club that has built its reputation on smart, analytics-driven recruitment rather than splashy transfer fees. Committing that figure to Kayode suggests the club’s data infrastructure signed off on the purchase as firmly as its coaching staff did.