Marco Borriello has assured dubious Juventus” data-scaytid=”2″>Juventus fans that he’ll “fight like a lion” for the Old Lady following his move from Roma.
The Italian has been netted on loan at a cost of €500,000 with an option to buy outright in the summer for a further €8m.
Marco Borriello has assured dubious Juventus fans that he’ll “fight like a lion” for the Old Lady following his move from Roma.
The Italian has been netted on loan at a cost of €500,000 with an option to buy outright in the summer for a further €8m.
However, the former Milan man hasn’t been welcomed with open arms by a section of the support who believe he snubbed a move to Juve in 2010.
Some Ultras unfurled a banner at Lecce on Sunday which read: ‘Borriello, mercenary without honour or dignity.’
“I can’t deny that I’m saddened by that,” the forward, who will wear the No 23, said at his unveiling on Tuesday.
“I have great respect for the fans. All I can say is that I have always acted honestly and in a dignified manner, on the pitch and in my private life.
“The banner is a result of the misinformation of a year and a half ago,” he continued. “I didn’t reject Juventus.
“Up until August 29 I was a first teamer at Milan, then Zlatan Ibrahimovic arrived on August 30.
“Roma came in for me and Milan wanted to sell me outright to get some cash. Juventus only wanted me on loan and I went to Roma instead.
“I didn’t go around telling people that I rejected Juventus and the club can confirm that. I’ll fight and sweat like a lion for Juventus.”
Borriello had a decent first season at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, but things changed after the club was bought by new owners who subsequently hired Luis Enrique as Coach.
“I can give a lot more as I’ve been unlucky in the past. At Roma I scored 17 goals, but then the club and the Coach who wanted me were not there anymore.
“New directors and a new tactician arrived and I wasn’t in their plans and that’s why I didn’t play.”
Borriello has been brought into the squad in Turin to provide an alternative for Alessandro Matri and Fabio Quagliarella.
“There is a lot of competition, the important thing is that we do well for Juventus. Nobody has promised me anything here and I’ll have to fight for everything.
“I want to pick myself up, to put myself in the spotlight. I have five months to convince the club to sign me and the fans to cheer for me.
“There is everything that I need to do well. I’m happy to be at Juventus. It’s an honour that the club have given me this opportunity.”
The former Genoa player, who admits that he is also dreaming of a return to the international fold, could make his debut against Cagliari this weekend.
“I had a small fitness problem on December 20, but I’ll train with the rest of the squad either today or from tomorrow.”