iShowSpeed is now a member of a storied Italian soccer club, but don’t expect him to get any game time with the first team. The streaming star (real name Darren Watkins, Jr.) signed a contract with A.C. Milan after spending a day with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the legendary striker who currently serves as an adviser for his former club.
Speed arrived in Milan after spending several weeks touring Europe. His continental swing has coincided with Euro 2024, the latest iteration of the quadrennial international tournament.
Based on the form he has shown during appearances in the annual Sidemen charity matches, Speed is not nearly good enough to play for A.C. Milan. Despite his seeming lack of skills, Ibrahimovic offered him a contract with the Rossoneri’s under-23 squad, which is known as the “Futuro” team. Speed, now 19, is two years removed from a meteoric rise that saw him earn the Breakout Streamer title at the 2022 Streamy Awards.
Subscribe for daily Tubefilter Top Stories
There’s a reason A.C. Milan is interested in a 19-year-old with no notable footballing skills to speak of. Thanks to his streaming prowess, Speed has the potential to become an important asset for the 125-year-old club, just as other creators have thrown their support behind top-level teams. Logan Paul and KSI have inked a deal with Premier League runners-up Arsenal F.C. through their beverage brand Prime, and Dude Perfect has backed English side Burnley F.C.
Creator investments in the soccer world tend to produce massive results. The aforementioned Sidemen charity matches have smashed viewership records on platforms like YouTube, and the Spanish Kings League has sold out some of the largest sports venues in Europe.
Even if Speed never steps on the pitch at the San Siro, his trip to Europe will already be memorable. He paid $50,000 in damages after his fans incited a public fracas during his visit to Oslo. He also attended some matches at the Euros, though he was unable to meet up with his hero Cristiano Ronaldo.
Perhaps he’ll have a chance to interact with soccer legends if he attends the World Cup in 2026 (as he did in 2022). In the meantime, he can give us a new anthem to rival “World Cup” — and some Jesser-style tryout videos born out of his Milan deal.
