/ 8 August 2006

Crespo ‘feels like Italy’s son’

Argentina striker Hernan Crespo signed for former club Inter Milan on Monday, leaving English champions Chelsea. ”I’m very happy to be back,” Crespo said. ”I love Italian soccer and the Italian country. Returning to Inter is a personal choice, a return home.”

The 31-year-old forward signed a two year-deal on a free transfer, although Chelsea reserved the right to recall the player at the end of the first season.

Crespo played for Inter in 2002/03 before transferring to Stamford Bridge in a £16,8-million deal in August 2003. Cross-town rivals AC Milan — where Crespo spent last season on loan — also tried to sign the striker, but the Argentine chose Inter.

”The efforts that Inter made to sign me, truthfully, were greater than those of Milan,” Crespo said. ”I’d like to thank president [Massimo] Moratti, the other directors, and above all [coach Roberto] Mancini. I’m very happy for how much belief they have placed in me.”

Chelsea had said that they would not sell Crespo — under contract for another two years — unless they received a suitable offer, despite the striker’s stated desire to return to Italy. Crespo spurned Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s offer of an improved contract to stay with the London club last month.

”I wanted to come back,” said Crespo, who has a house outside of Milan. ”I’ve lived in this country for a long time. I have an Italian wife and two splendid Milanese daughters. I feel like Italy’s son, as well as legally having Italian citizenship.”

The forward expressed his gratitude to Abramovich and Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho for allowing him to leave.

”They behaved really well toward me. They understood me as a man. I would like to thank them from the heart,” he said. ”I had a wonderful time at Chelsea with the support of the greatest fans, which, for an Argentine playing in England, is not easy. I’m very grateful to them.”

The player also dismissed speculation that he left Stamford Bridge due to the chances of being the third striker behind Andriy Shevchenko, newly signed from AC Milan, and Côte d’Ivoire international Didier Drogba.

”I never thought about the arrival of Scheva or Drogba before him at Chelsea. This isn’t how I am. In my career, I’ve had the possibility to play for big teams. It’s normal for me to compete for my place,” Crespo said.

Crespo is Inter’s third big pre-season signing. The club have already lured Italy defender Fabio Grosso from Palermo and France midfielder Patrick Vieira from Juventus on four-year deals. Inter have also been linked to strikers Luca Toni of Fiorentina and Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Juventus.

However, following news of Crespo’s arrival, Inter striker Obafemi Martins asked to be placed on the transfer list, reports said.

The player’s agent, Patrick Bastianelli, told the Apcom news agency that English teams Tottenham, Newcastle and Portsmouth, or Spanish club Valencia, are possible destinations for the Nigeria striker.

Crespo has also played for Italian sides Lazio and Parma — where he won the Uefa Cup in 1999. — Sapa-AP