Former Milan full-back Ignazio Abate said it is “beautiful” to return to the club, where he has recently been named Primavera coach.
Milan announced Abate’s return on July 5 and the 35-year-old can’t hide his delight.
He told Milan TV: “Walking through these gates was beautiful, know what the clubs means to me, what this sports centre has represented and represents: I am so happy.”
Abate made his professional debut with Milan during the 2003-04 season but the following campaign, was sent out on loan at then Serie C1 side, Napoli.
He then spent time at Piacenza, Modena, Empoli and Torino before becoming a Milan first-team regular in the 2009-10 campaign.
Abate spent 10 seasons in the Milan first team before retiring at the end of the 2018-19 season. In all, he made 306 appearances for the club, scoring three goals.
He won the 2010-11 Serie A as well as the Supercoppa in 2011 and 2016.
Hard to believe he’s MUCH younger than Zlatan, I honestly thought he’s around the same age!