Brazilian playmaker looks ahead to new challenge.
Inter Milan are set to unveil new signing Hernanes at 14:30 GMT on Thursday afternoon, after the Brazilian completed his move from Lazio last week.
The 28-year-old made the headlines after bidding farewell to the Biancocelesti after four years, with supporters filming him breaking down into tears as he left the club’s training ground.
Speculation suggested initially that the Brazilian had been forced to leave the club due to the offer on the table, although he later dismissed any criticism of president Claudio Lotito and insisted that it was his decision to leave.
#Hernanes displays his No.88 Nerazzurri shirt! http://t.co/7lPDssUeSC #WelcomeProfeta #FCIM pic.twitter.com/y3yQdhiWH8
— inter.it (@inter) February 6, 2014
Hernanes stressed that from a professional viewpoint, he felt he had no choice but to join Inter in order to boost his chances of winning silverware and playing in the Champions League.
He completed a €20m move on transfer deadline day, and dismissed any notion that he was moving to Milan due to monetary benefits.
“I want to clarify that no one forced me to say anything,” he told GoldTV, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
“I chose to go away and it was not a question of money. After a fantastic three-and-a-half years, where I was always treated with dignity by Lotito and [sporting director Igli] Tare, I realized that if I wanted to play in the Champions League or win the Scudetto, I had to try something new.”
Hernanes joined Lazio from Sao Paulo in August 2010, and helped the club win the Coppa Italia last season.
Ahead of being officially presented as an Inter player on Thursday, he is expected to make his debut for the club against Sassuolo this weekend.
Watch the video below to follow a live stream of the press conference:
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