AC Milan’s remarkable summer of recruitment continued over the weekend with Argentina midfielder Lucas Biglia completing a big money transfer from Lazio.

The 31-year-old has signed a three-year deal at the San Siro and cost the Rossoneri’s new Chinese owners an initial €17 million, a figure that could rise to €20 million.

Biglia becomes Milan’s ninth summer signing after Mateo Musacchio, Andre Silva, Ricardo Rodriguez, Hakan Calhanoglu, Andrea Conti, Franck Kessie, Fabio Borini and Leonardo Bonucci, taking the club’s spending to not far off €200 million.

Lucas Biglia is now a Red and Black! 🔴⚫️➡️ https://t.co/iuVv5jLrjL #welcomeBiglia

— AC Milan (@acmilan) July 16, 2017

Biglia may not be the most exciting transfer of the window but Milan’s supporters are obviously aware of how effective the defensive midfielder can be judging by the reception that the player received upon arriving to seal the transfer.

An excellent ball winner, an efficient passer and as the former Lazio captain, an effective leader on the pitch for Milan’s ambitious new look side.

Lucas Biglia’s Serie A season by numbers:

87% pass acc.
66 tackles won
58 interceptions
54 chances created
4 goals
3 assists
Well rounded. https://t.co/5yTPDbRfnj

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) July 16, 2017

Biglia has been outstanding in Serie A since arriving in Rome from Anderlecht and will be sorely missed in the capital.

However, given the status of Milan and the outlay by the club’s new owners, a return to the top of Italian football is the target and an opportunity that Biglia couldn’t turn down at this point in his career.

Explaining his decision before travelling to Milan, Biglia told reporters: “Lazio will always be in my heart, but my decision to join Milan is for sporting reasons.”