Inter Milan have confirmed the controversial signing of Hakan Calhanoglu in a three years contract from bitter rivals AC Milan.
Hakan Calhanoglu joins Inter Milan on a free transfer after running down his contract with AC Milan.
He signed a three-year deal with the Nerazzurri and decided to not extend his contract with AC Milan.
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The 27-year old midfielder was instrumental in helping Milan return to the Champions League for the first time since 2014 last season.
He scored four goals and bagged 10 assists in 33 league appearances last season.
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Inter said on their official website: “FC Internazionale Milano can confirm that Hakan Calhanoglu has joined the Nerazzurri. The 27-year-old midfielder has signed a deal with the club lasting until 30 June 2024.”
With Turkey already out of the Euro 2020, the Turkish midfielder is already available in Italy.
The Turkish midfielder Hakan Çalhanoğlu spoke exclusively for the first time as an Inter player. The new Nerazzurri signing gave an interview to Inter TV introducing himself to all the fans, sharing his first impressions after his arrival at Inter.
Reporter: Welcome to Inter! What are your feelings about playing for the Champions of Italy?
Hakan Calhanoglu: “It’s a great thing, we know that Inter are a great team, a great club with a nice atmosphere, and great fans. I’m very happy to be here, I’m going on vacation now, but I already have good feelings. We want to win the Scudetto this year too, so we’ll see”.
Reporter: Your numbers are growing. Do you think you’re arriving here at the peak of your footballing maturity?
Hakan Calhanoglu: “Yes, the first year was very difficult for me because I didn’t speak the language, then I slowly learned to know the language and the city, I met many friends and I have matured from year to year. Now I have many friends and many colleagues, not only on the pitch but also off it. I did very well last season and I want to do the same next year”.
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Reporter: Have you already had the chance to meet with Simone Inzaghi?
Hakan Calhanoglu:“Yes, we have already spoken, I know his game system, the 3-5-2 which can change into a 3-4-1-2 depending on the situation. I really like how he spoke; I have heard many positive things. There are great objectives, which is important because I also want to win something in Italy”.
Reporter: Since 2013, only Messi has scored more free-kicks than you, in Germany they call you “The Free-Kick God”; What is your secret?
Hakan Calhanoglu: “The secret is always working and training because in my opinion it’s 50/50, a mix of talent and work. It’s like in tennis: if you make a movement with your hands many times, you can only improve and the same must be for us with the feet. I want to train more, and I hope to score many goals like this”.
Reporter: You created 89 scoring chances last season, no one in Europe did as well as you. Is it better to score a goal or provide an assist?
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Hakan Calhanoglu: “It’s better to assist, I like providing for teammates more than scoring a goal because there is not that selfish part inside me of wanting to score at all costs. The important thing is that the team wins because the group come before anything else”.
Reporter: A great former Nerazzurri player, Emre, said he was delighted to see you in the Inter jersey. What do you think about that?
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Hakan Calhanoglu: “We’ve already spoken, he was very happy and said many good things about Inter. He said that they work very well here, that there is a lot of organisation on all sides, that this is a great club and I will have fun”.
Reporter: Inter’s midfield displayed plenty of quality and substance during the season just gone. What do you think you can add?
Hakan Calhanoglu: “Both of these things. You need to work and sweat, a jersey isn’t something which is just given to you. You have to work hard: if you do this and really dig in, opportunities will always arrive”.
Reporter: What is your personal objective for the upcoming season?
Hakan Calhanoglu: “I think and for every single player and all my teammates, enjoying an injury-free season is one of the primary objectives. We want to win the league again and do great things in the Champions League”.
Reporter: Do you want to send a message to the Nerazzurri fans?
Hakan Calhanoglu: “Hello to all Inter fans, I’m very happy to be here and hope that we’ll see each other at San Siro soon. Forza Inter!”
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