The transfer of Ante Rebic to Lecce was certainly one of the most unexpected surprises of the last hours of the transfer market. The two protagonists of the operation spoke about it this Friday in a press conference, explaining how the deal that brought the former striker back to Italy among the many from Fiorentina and Milan came about. Below are the main statements by Corvino and Rebic collected by TMW.
Corvino: “I made him rich by selling him to Eintracht, now I’ve taken him back”
“Usually when I introduce a player I have to be very detailed. Today instead there is a player with an important career, this conference is easier for me. You know Ante Rebic better than me. I can say that he was vice world champion with Croatia, champion of Italy with Milan. I know him very well. In the first phone call I told him that he had to give up a bit of salary because I made him rich by selling him from Fiorentina to Eintracht. This season I will play 300 games in Serie A with Lecce and 700 overall, these are records that I feel very strongly about. And above all it would be a record for Lecce to save themselves for three seasons in a row. I asked him to help us achieve this goal. When I called Pioli I told him that I need a first striker and he more than reassured me. Ante chose Lecce because he is driven by personal motivations, he wants to get back into the game. He knows he will find the right environment”.
Rebic: “Injury now behind me, I’m very motivated for Lecce”
“Lecce has found a very motivated player, I want to show everyone that I am the same as I was three years ago. In the last two years I have suffered due to an injury, which I resolved in April. A month ago the director and the coach convinced me. I didn’t think about it too much, I know that at this moment I have to play consistently and show everyone that I am ready. I feel good and I want to play as soon as possible. The number 3? I wanted 12 but Guilbert took it, so I took the first free number”.
Relive Rebic’s presentation press conference here