David Odogu has been handed a fresh chance to get his career moving again after AC Milan agreed to send the young defender to Toulouse on loan, just 12 months after he made the big move from VfL Wolfsburg to Italy, Footynaija.com reports.
The 20-year-old joined Milan in September 2025 after making only three Bundesliga appearances for Wolfsburg. The move came as a major step for a defender who had already won the European Under-17 Championship and FIFA U-17 World Cup with Germany in 2023. Milan saw enough potential to take him from Germany and invest in his long-term development.
Odogu arrived in Italy with confidence. He told reporters after the transfer that he wanted to become a starter and named Antonio Rüdiger as the defender he looked up to. He also spoke about wanting to play with aggression and become a leader.
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The reality at San Siro, however, proved harder. Odogu made only three short appearances for Milan in the 2025/26 season, leaving him with little chance to build on his early senior experience in Germany. After a year largely spent waiting for opportunities, a loan move became the sensible next step for his development.
Odogu joins Toulouse until June
Fabrizio Romano reports that Odogu will spend the season with Toulouse, with the agreement completed and Milan covering his salary until June. The French club gives him a new league to experience and, more importantly, the chance to compete for regular first-team football.
The move also has a link to Milan. Both clubs are majority-owned by RedBird Capital Partners, which has helped create a relationship between the two sides.
For Odogu, though, the focus will be on what happens on the pitch.
Born in Berlin to Nigerian parents, the centre-back remains eligible to represent the Super Eagles, although he has so far played his international football for Germany at youth level. His next year in Ligue 1 could tell us much more about where his career is heading.
