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Donati finally signs for Hoops! |
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Written by Frankie McKay
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Friday, 29 June 2007 |
Massimo Donati finally became a Celtic player this morning and said he simply wants to be a winner
The former AC Milan midfielder has signed a four-year deal with the SPL champions and looked right at home as he donned the Hoops for the first time on Friday.
Just six years ago, Milan splashed out £10million for his services and he initially featured regularly for the Rossoneri, while also starring for Italy Under-21s. Loan spells with Torino, Parma, Sampdoria, Messina and first club Atalanta then followed.
Highly-rated in his homeland, the 26-year-old had various options to stay in Italy this summer but shunned them all to start a new life in Scotland, and he hopes it will lead to a trophy-laden spell in his career.
“I want to play in a winning team,” smiled Donati, as he sat in front of the SPL trophy and Scottish Cup in the Paradise boardroom.
“I want to be part of a team that wins championships and I really want to play in the Champions League. I’m delighted to be here.
“I had other offers. When the return to Milan didn’t work out, I got the offer to come here and for me it’s the same level. I’m honoured to be a Celtic player and I jumped at the chance.”
Since touching down in Scotland on Thursday, Donati has hardly had time to think. Last night, he sailed through a medical and officially signed his deal, before speaking to the press and meeting the fans outside Celtic Park today.
“It’s a fantastic feeling being here at Celtic,” said Donati. “Coming from Italy, I have heard so many fantastic things about the club, but seeing is believing. I’ve only been here for 24 hours, but it’s wonderful.
“It’s been a fantastic experience so far. The club have been wonderful to me and the stadium is fantastic to see.”
While on loan at Atalanta last season, Donati watched with interest as Celtic locked horns with AC Milan in the first knockout round of the Champions League.
Only one goal, a solo effort by Kaka in the San Siro, separated the sides after two legs and 210 minutes of absorbing football.
Celtic’s display against the eventual tournament winners has given Donati great encouragement as he looks ahead to his first European campaign with the club.
He said: “The games between Milan and Celtic were very balanced. I felt the teams played at the same level, but anything can happen in football. In the end, Milan got the goal to win.
Already familiar with the talents of new team-mates Artur Boruc and Shunsuke Nakamura, Donati pledged to honour the memory of a former Celtic player – Neil Lennon.
Having been handed the Irishman’s old squad number, 18, Donati has set his sights on emulating the success of the recently departed Hoops captain.
“I know Lennon wore the No.18 shirt before me and I understand that it’s a very important number for the club,” he said.
“I understand the responsibility I have wearing this shirt. I want to wear and honour the player who did so before me, and maybe do even better.”
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