AC Milan have signed Alberto Aquilani from Liverpool on a season-long loan agreement in which they will have the opportunity to buy him permanently should he play 25 or more games this season.

Aquilani, 27, has long been tipped to return to Serie A after claiming he wanted to safeguard his place with the Italy national side ahead of Euro 2012, feeling his presence closer to home would likely influence subsequent decisions from coach Cesare Prandelli.

Milan had also been in the hunt for a top-class midfielder, often described as ‘mister x’ by coach Massimiliano Allegri, and club CEO Adriano Galliani.

And it was Galliani who clinched the deal with agent Franco Zavaglia and Liverpool following weeks of talks.

A statement on Milan’s official website reads:

“A.C Milan communicates to have acquired on a temporary basis, with the right/obligation to buy, from Liverpool FC Alberto Aquilani who has signed an economic contract until June 30, 2014.”

Milan did not release the intricate financial details of the deal, but previous reports suggest they could pay the Premier League side around €6 million (£5.3m) to keep Aquilani.

The 27-year-old will start work at Milanello immediately, but will not feature in what was supposed to be their league opener against Cagliari after all Serie A fixtures were postponed.

Strike action was unavoidable after the players’ association (AIC) and the Lega, who represent clubs, failed to agree a new collective contract.