FRESH START Inside Kyle Walker & Annie Kilner’s move to Milan to put sex scandals behind him – but will he escape Lauryn Goodman?

The England defender, 34, sealed his loan move to Serie A giants AC Milan on Thursday after eight highly successful but incident-packed years with Manchester City.

Kyle Walker sealed his loan move to Serie A giants AC Milan in Italy

Long-suffering wife Annie Kilner will keep close eye on Kyle as he enjoys life in the new city

He hopes to start afresh by moving away from the goldfish bowl of Cheshire and the constant noise ­surrounding his dalliances with Lauryn Goodman — mistress and mother of his two love-children.

Kyle's marriage to embattled wife Annie Kilner, 33, is dangling by the thinnest of threads.

An insider told The Sun: "Annie has made it clear to friends she is making the move to Italy for the sake of her family, telling them, 'I'm doing it for the boys'.

"Getting away from the UK and the noise surrounding Kyle's sex scandals is what they desperately need. They feel smothered.

"It's been a traumatic 12 months and they now just want to put it behind them and attempt to lead some sort of normal existence for a while."

Last night Kyle said on Instagram: "Signing for this incredible club in 2017 was a dream come true.

"Seven years later, winning 17 trophies . . . is something I could only have dreamt as a child.

"To my teammates: from the moment I walked through the door, thank you for the great memories and all the success we have shared.

'Annie feels terrorised by it all'

"To [manager] Pep Guardiola, thank you for believing in me . . . your guidance has helped shape me into the player I am today. I'll be forever grateful.

"To Annie and all my family who have been there and supported me on this journey, thank you.

"Lastly, to the fans — thank you for embracing me as one of your own from day one."

The insider added: "Annie is still intent on going through with the divorce, which Kyle won't oppose, but the longer they remain together, the more chance they have of eventually reconciling against the odds.

"Kyle accepts that he is taking his problems with him and won't ever escape what he has done.

"This is an opportunity for him to get some breathing space and for the couple to work out their next steps."

Annie and their four boys will fly to Italy by private jet from Manchester Airport ahead of Milan's Serie A showdown against Parma tomorrow.

They will be in the San Siro to watch Kyle unveiled to the Rossoneri but will return to the UK hours later as Kyle settles into life in Milan with his new teammates.

The star cannot play for the seven-time European champions until next month, due to Brexit red tape.

The full-back's new club is finding the couple and their four children a mansion to live in, rather than a hotel, which is a more common move for new signings.

The pair are already eager to start ­getting used to Italian culture.

For now, Annie is said to be keen to maintain their kids' schooling in the UK until they have found a home in Milan — but that will hinge on Kyle securing a permanent move.

Annie will begin making plans, while back in the UK, to move the family.

She is keen for them to begin a new life abroad as soon as possible — once schools have been identified and they have worked out where they want to live.