ITALY: SOCCER / FOOTBALL - Inter Milan signs Argentine striker Hernan Crespo

Inter Milan confirmed the signing of Argentina striker Hernan Crespo from Chelsea on Monday (August 7). Inter said Crespo had signed a two-year contract. It said the transfer was free but the English club has the option to get Crespo back after the first season. "Clearly the effort that Inter employed to attract me was obviously greater than that of Milan, but at the same time it fills me with pride that this club wanted me. I'd like to thank (Inter) President (Massimo) Moratti, (Inter Manager Roberto) Mancini and (Inter Director Gabriele) Oriali and (Marco) Branca. I am very happy that they believed in me and now it will be my turn to repay them in someway," Crespo said at a news conference held on Monday afternoon. "I will always have an attachment to Chelsea because there were great people there and also because the fans were tremendous," Crespo said. "For an Argentinean to be loved in England isn't easy and I had the possibility to live this experience, it was just magnificent," he said. Crespo recently acquired Italian citizenship and has made no secret of his desire to return to Serie A. The forward, who has played for Parma, Lazio, Inter Milan and AC Milan, still has a house in the town of Limido Comasco, on the outskirts of Milan. "I was brought up watching this (Italian) football and I then fell in love with Italy. I have been coming here for 10 years and I have an Italian wife and two splendid Milanese children and if before I felt like a son of Italy now I am also legally an Italian citizen," he said.

ITN Source | August 8, 2006

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