It was a summer to remember for Alessandro Florenzi, who cemented his name in history as part of Italy’s EURO 2020 winning side before making a move to AC Milan.
The 30-year-old – who's recently recovered from injury – was overjoyed with the Azzurri’s memorable victory back in July, but now has his focus on the season ahead.
Florenzi, who has spent the last two seasons on loan at both Paris Saint-Germain and Valencia, joins Milan on another loan deal with an option to buy from his parent club Roma.
Speaking exclusively to Skrill News, the full-back has opened up about his time settling into the team and what playing in the famous red and black shirt of the Rossoneri means to him.
Q: Hello Alessandro, how have got on at the club so far?
AF: I have found the club to be set up very well. I have been treated well over the years by many organised clubs – and AC Milan is one of these. The group is solid, they all welcomed me to the team and I'm having a great time.
Q: This summer your name was linked to different clubs throughout Europe, why did you choose AC Milan?
AF: I got the call from AC Milan and I wanted to come here because the Rossoneri were the team that wanted me the most.
Q: When you hear the name "AC Milan", what's the first thing you think?
AF: When I think of AC Milan, I think of all the champions who have passed through here and who have worn this shirt.
Then I was lucky enough to meet and get to know one of them closely: Paolo Maldini. He is a legend of this club and has an aura equal to what Francesco Totti or Daniele De Rossi have at Roma.
Men like that, I call them untouchable, not just for what they have given to their clubs but to all of Italian football.
Q: The move comes at the end of a fantastic summer for you. What was it like to lift the European Championship trophy and make a brief appearance in the final?
AF: Winning something with your national team is an indescribable emotion. We spent 50 days together, we were more than just teammates, a real family was created.
It was not an easy journey, especially for me, but we all worked on the same side in pursuit of a dream.
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Q: The season has started well for the Rossoneri. What do you think the team can achieve this year?
AF: The Rossoneri history is full of triumphs. The goal is to try to honour this history, building our own and bringing AC Milan's name back to the top.
It's a goal that the club has set for itself, it’s what the fans want, and it’s what we as players will try to achieve however we can.
I will try to help the club regain the place it deserves.
Q: What did your coach Stefano Pioli tell you about your role here and the club's ambitions?
AF: I’m part of a team and a beautiful group of players.
It is always important to put "we" before "I". I’m totally at the disposal of the coach and my teammates.
For the moment, I'm playing high on the flank, but I'm ready to play wherever I’m needed. The important thing is to always be ready when called for.