Following his FC Schalke 04 fallout, Kevin-Prince Boateng has returned to AC Milan on free transfer for a deal lasting the rest of the season.

Boateng, 28, had been training with the club since September and became a free agent upon the termination of his contract by Schalke in December 2015. Milan confirmed the deal by tweeting out, "Now it's official: welcome back Kevin-Prince Boateng."

Boateng - so far an interesting career

The Ghanaian midfielder originally spent time with the Rossoneri from 2010-2013, a stint that saw him score 10 goals in 74 appearances. Boateng noted in 2013 that his style had transitioned from defensive midfielder to trequartista, more of an attack-heavy midfield position, since he began playing at San Siro.

Milan sent Boateng to Schalke of the German Bundesliga in the summer of 2013 for a fee of £7 million. The German-born playmaker signed a four-year contract set to expire in June 2017 but obviously, it didn't last its full length.

Boateng's time with Schalke wasn't short of controversy (via espnfc.com)
Boateng's time with Schalke wasn't short of controversy (via espnfc.com)

Boateng started in all of his 28 debut-season appearances for the Konigsblauen, scoring six goals in the club's third place finish. However, his play declined the following season, as did Schalke's, and he, Sidney Sam, and Marco Hoger were indefinitely suspended by the club in May as a result of poor behavior following a 1-0 defeat to 1. FC Koln.

Where Milan are at

After the first half of the 2015-16 Serie A season, Milan sit sixth in the league and ended their last six matches in prime form, winning four and drawing two to close out the season. Their last defeat came at the hands of Juventus in a 1-0 November 21 result.

AC Milan are currently making other moves in the midfield area, reportedly making multiple bids for Manchester United's Marouane Fellaini and having Fellaini approve a transfer. The club was also rumored to be interested in Axel Witsel of Zenit Saint Petersburg for this transfer window.

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About the author
Zach Drapkin
Philadelphia-based journalist with expertise in basketball, football, and soccer/fútbol.