Roberto De Zerbi
Brighton & Hove Albion has welcomed a promising new addition to their squad, having secured a five-year deal with a 21-year-old centre-back from Hellas Verona for a reported fee of £9.4 million. The defender, who has already made 86 appearances in Serie A, expressed his excitement about joining the Premier League club and the factors that influenced his decision.
The centre-back said: “I knew some stuff about Brighton. I knew they were looking at my matches and my abilities for a few months. So as soon as my agent told me that Brighton was on me… I knew Brighton because of the coach Roberto De Zerbi, he is Italian, same as me. I started to look at the city and the club sent me videos of the facilities, so it was like a dream to see the videos. Now that I am here, I am very, very happy.”
He continued: “I can’t wait to play the first matches in the Premier League, for a lot of Italian players the Premier League is like a dream. I think that the Premier League fits me well. But you know, I have never played against another Premier League team. I never played in the Premier League, so it’s new thing for me, but I’m confident and I think I can do well.”
Reflecting on his recent experiences, he added: “June was quite an interesting month. I had my first call up to the national team of Italy, I made my debut and after that I made my second appearance. Then I went to the Under-21 Euros, then I was signed by Brighton, so I’ve not had much of a rest, but it’s okay. In this case, I’m okay to not have rest! I can’t wait to start training and to meet everyone. I already met a few guys that we were having lunch with. I’m just very happy to be here.”
The young defender’s move to Brighton marks a significant step in his career, as he transitions from Serie A to the English Premier League. His eagerness to embrace the challenges of English football is palpable, and he is optimistic about the opportunities that lie ahead. The influence of Roberto De Zerbi, a fellow Italian and former head coach at Brighton, played a crucial role in attracting the player to the club. With his towering presence and no-nonsense playing style, the centre-back is set to bolster Brighton’s defensive line as they prepare for the upcoming season.
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