Michael Kayode's Agent Backs Further Growth After Italy Breakthrough

Michael Kayode's rapid introduction to senior international football has done little to change the way those around him view his development.

The Brentford right-back followed a goal on his Italy debut against Turkey by keeping his place for Friday night's 1-1 draw with France at the Stade de France. Two senior starts have brought 180 minutes, a first international goal and another significant step in a career which looked rather different when he arrived in West London in January 2025.

Kayode's representatives have watched that progress from much earlier. Claudio Vigorelli, whose Vigo Global Sport agency represents the defender, spoke of the pride around his breakthrough before making clear that reaching the senior national team should not be treated as the finished product.

"I am convinced he does. He is a fantastic boy, a very serious professional: his development is not yet complete," Vigorelli told TuttoMercatoWeb when asked whether Kayode still had room to improve.

Kayode had been part of Italy's youth system for years and scored the winner in the 2023 European Under-19 Championship final. Still, his first senior call-up did not arrive until this international window. By then he had already established himself at Brentford, signed another long-term contract and decided that a return to Serie A was not something he wanted to pursue during the summer.

His first senior start came in Bursa. Kayode was involved in Davide Frattesi's goal before scoring himself five minutes later, finishing Pio Esposito's pass as Italy won 4-1. The Bees have seen those forward runs plenty of times before, but this was his first opportunity to produce one at that level for his country.

Roberto Mancini kept him in the side against France four days later. There was no second goal, although Kayode was involved in some of Italy's better first-half moments. An early cross gave Moise Kean a chance in front of goal, while one of his long throws later created another opening before Italy eventually left Paris with a point. Kayode again completed the full match.

Those appearances have come little more than 18 months after he joined the Bees on loan from Fiorentina. His first few months in England were not an instant run of starts either. Kayode made 12 appearances during that half-season, eventually starting Brentford's final six Premier League games before the move was made permanent.

The following season changed his position considerably. He missed only one Premier League match in 2025/26, was nominated for the Young Player of the Season award and had made 56 Brentford appearances by the time he signed a new contract in July. Keith Andrews described his development and evolution as "really, really impressive" when that deal was announced.

Kayode himself has spoken in similar terms about the move to England. During his first senior Italy camp, he said arriving in the Premier League had helped him improve "many things". He explained that regular football had mattered more to him than talk of returning to Italy.

Brentford have already had another reminder of his attacking threat this season. Kayode scored in the 3-0 opening-day win over Tottenham and has made five starts across all competitions for the Bees, whilst appearing in every fixture.

His first Italy camp is not finished yet. Turkey visit Bologna on Monday, giving Kayode another chance to add to a start which has moved quickly from a first call-up to successive appearances in Mancini's side.

Whatever happens there, he will return to Brentford with his status changed. Kayode arrived at the camp without a senior cap. He now has two starts, a goal and a contract in West London which runs until 2032.