Alessio Romagnoli gave a farewell message to Milan after seven years, before explaining why it was his lifetime dream to play for Lazio.
The defender did not extend his contract when it expired on June 30 and today signed for the Biancocelesti as a free agent in a five-year deal.
Romagnoli took to Instagram to write his goodbyes to the club, teammates and fans.
“Ciao Milan, after seven years the time has come to say goodbye. You welcomed me as a kid and I leave you as a man.
“Milan represents a family for me and has been throughout these seven years. We had difficult moments, but then made up for them with interest, achieving something extraordinary.
“I want to thank all the people who work at Casa Milan and Milanello. I want to particularly thank Adriano Galliani and coach Sinisa Mihajlovic for bringing me to Milan. A special thanks to coach Gennaro Gattuso, who along with handing me the captain’s armband, was the most important person in my Rossoneri journey.
“Finally I wish to thank you, all the fans, for the constant affection and support and for making me feel like one of you. Now the moment has come to say goodbye, but I will always hold in my heart the memory of an unforgettable experience and what Milan meant to me.
“I hope to have earned a place in your heart too and to have left a good memory of myself as a player and above all as a man, because that is what matters more to me. We will see each other soon as opponents.”
Romagnoli is from Rome and grew up supporting Lazio, even though his career began in the Roma youth academy.
Lazio’s social media account released a video with Romagnoli explaining why he “fell in love” with the Aquile, that the first Serie A match he ever watched was a Lazio game and he had Alessandro Nesta’s poster on his wall.
“I am a Lazio fan, I never hid that” and confirmed he decided not to celebrate after scoring for Milan against the Biancocelesti because of “respect to my ideals and my faith.”