New loan arrival at AC Milan of Italy, Fikayo Tomori has reeled out a star-studded array of San Siro legends that inspired him to join The Rossoneri, and concluded with a declaration that he is determined to follow the examples they set with the club, megasportsarena.com reports.
So soon after his arrival on loan from Chelsea of England, the 23-year-old Nigerian-born England international and fast-rising centre back, mentioned Paolo Maldini, Kaka and Clarence Seedorf as ex-Molan stars he still holds in awe, while also adding basketball legend, Michael Jordan as an overall inspiration that keeps driving him on.
Tomori further disclosed that he felt duty-bound to join Milan after he got a call from Maldini, as the Italian defensive icon, who is now working as technical director at the club where he spent his entire playing career, encouraged the dark-skinned stopper to leave Chelsea on a six-month loan deal.
Milan have the option to buy Tomori for €30 million at the end of the season, if things go well for the lad who was born in Canada to Nigerian parents, but opted for an international future with England after naturalizing some years back, and the 23-year-old is hoping to follow in the footsteps of his football heroes.
Tomori told the Milan-based club’s website: “I chose to come here to AC Milan because it’s a club with a great history, with great players and obviously the club is in a good moment right now. It’s an opportunity that I couldn’t turn down. It’s a huge honour for me to be here.
“When I first got the call, I was a bit… I wouldn’t say confused, but I was surprised! I spoke to Paolo Maldini. The best defender to ever play football was talking to me and asking me to come.
“From there I knew that this is where I wanted to come and play football and to learn from him as well. I’m very happy to be here now. Paolo Maldini, the best defender that ever played!
“When I was young and I was [playing as] a striker or a midfielder, Kaka was someone that I really enjoyed watching, [Clarence] Seedorf as well. To be able to put on the shirt that they wore is a huge honour and if I have half the success that they had, I’ll have a good time here.”
