Toulouse FC have completed the signing of German defender David Odogu on a season-long loan from Italian club AC Milan.
The deal, finalized on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, represents the first official player movement between Toulouse and AC Milan since American investment firm RedBird Capital Partners acquired both teams.
The 20-year-old central defender stands at 1.91 metres and joins the French side on a straight loan with no purchase option for the 2026-2027 season. He will wear the number 19 shirt for Toulouse during his spell in Ligue 1.
Odogu becomes Toulouse's fourth signing of the summer transfer window and their third defensive reinforcement. He follows defender Ismaïl Diallo, who arrived on a free transfer from Dijon, defender Christ Tapé from AC Horsens, and 18-year-old Swedish winger Sion Oppong from Brommapojkarna.
First deal between RedBird-owned clubs
RedBird Capital Partners purchased Toulouse in 2020 before acquiring AC Milan in 2022. Despite sharing common ownership for several years, no transfer had previously taken place between the French club, who finished ninth in Ligue 1 last season, and the Italian side, who finished fifth in Serie A.
Speaking at a press conference in May, Toulouse president Olivier Cloarec addressed speculation about potential player movements from Milan. Cloarec said that rumors linking Milan players to Toulouse were false at the time, but noted that the club would be foolish not to consider opportunities if they proved beneficial for Toulouse, Milan, and the player involved.
Odogu joined AC Milan from German club Wolfsburg last summer in a deal worth 7 million euros. However, the Germany Under-20 international, who has four caps for his country, struggled for playing time under Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri, making just three appearances during the 2025-2026 season due to heavy competition in defence.
Transfer activity accelerates at Toulouse
The loan move comes as transfer activity accelerates at Toulouse with under two weeks remaining before the transfer deadline. Bundesliga side Mainz and Belgian club Anderlecht had also shown interest in signing Odogu before Toulouse secured his services.
At Toulouse, Odogu will compete for central defensive spots under new Danish head coach Jens Berthel Askou alongside Rasmus Nicolaisen, Mark McKenzie, and Seny Koumbassa. Askou took charge of the team ahead of the new campaign as Toulouse seek to build on last season's mid-table finish.
Toulouse's squad reshaping extends beyond Odogu's arrival. Young defender Dayann Methalie has traveled to Sunderland to complete a contract signing, with Toulouse seeking 40 million euros for the prospect. Meanwhile, Danish player Thomas Jørgensen has also been strongly linked with a move to the Occitan club.
Toulouse finished their pre-season preparations with a friendly defeat against German side Hamburger SV at Stadium. Askou's side will officially open their Ligue 1 season on Saturday when they host Lyon at home.
