Koni De Winter

Koni De Winter (; born 12 June 2002) is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as centre-back for club AC Milan and the Belgium national team.

Club career

Early career De Winter played in City Pirates Antwerp until 2015. He played the 2015–16 season in the Lierse SK youth academy. Initially joining the youth academy, in the 2018–19 season, De Winter made 27 appearances and scored one goal with the under-17s. The following season, De Winter made 23 appearances with the under-19s often playing as captain. On 20 February 2021, he renewed his contract until 2024. On 24 July, he made his unofficial debut for Juventus in a 3–1 win against Cesena; scoring the opening goal in the 4th minute.

De Winter made his debut for Juventus U23 – the reserve team of Juventus – on 22 August 2021 in a 3–2 win against Pro Sesto in the Coppa Italia Serie C. On 20 October, he was sent off in a 2–2 draw against AlbinoLeffe, ten minutes after his entry onto the field. On 27 October, De Winter scored his first career goal: an equalizing goal in a 1–1 draw against Piacenza.

On 23 November, he made his official debut with the first team – as well as his debut in the Champions League – in a 4–0 defeat against Premier League club Chelsea, coming on as a substitute for Juan Cuadrado in the 81st minute. On 8 December, De Winter made his debut as a starter for the first team in a 1–0 win against Malmö FF, becoming the youngest Juventus player to debut as a starter at ; he was eventually substituted in the 70th minute for Mattia De Sciglio.

On 29 January 2022, he had a luxation of his left shoulder during a match against Feralpisalò. On 6 March, De Winter returned from his injury in a 1–0 win against Pro Sesto, coming on as a substitute in the 85th minute; four minutes later, he scored the winning goal. After the end of the season, on 9 July, the defender officially renewed his contract with the club until 2026.

Loan to Empoli On 9 July 2022, the same day as his contract extension with Juventus was announced, De Winter was sent on loan to fellow Serie A side Empoli, with the deal being made official by both teams the following day.

Loan to Genoa On 11 August 2023, he moved on loan to Genoa, with a conditional obligation to buy.

Genoa On 1 July 2024, De Winter was permanently transferred to Genoa ahead of the 2024–25 season, as the club achieved the conditional buy obligation for an estimated €8 million transfer fee.

AC Milan On 13 August 2025, De Winter joined fellow Serie A club AC Milan on a five-year contract. On 25 January 2026, he scored his first goal for the club in a 1–1 away draw with Roma.

International career On 23 March 2024, De Winter debuted for the Belgium national team in a friendly match against the Republic of Ireland.

Positions of play During his career, De Winter has played as a central defender, a full-back on both sides, a defensive midfielder, and as a mezzala (specialized midfielder in Italian football).

Personal life De Winter was born in Belgium to a Belgian father and a Congolese-French mother. De Winter holds both Congolese and French citizenship.