Mike Senkowski, the agent of Tajon Buchanan, explained why his client chose Inter over a Premier League club and confirmed that talks dated back to the 2022 World Cup.
The 24-year-old wing back joined the Nerazzurri earlier this month from Club Brugge in a deal worth around €7m. He penned a four-and-a-half-year deal in the Lombardy capital, becoming the first Canadian player in Serie A.
Buchanan still hasn’t made his debut for Inter yet but was on the bench for the 5-1 win over Monza, making it just a matter of time until he appears on the pitch. He may be given a chance during the Nerazzurri’s Supercoppa Italiana campaign in Saudi Arabia.
Speaking to FcInterNews, Senkowski first discussed the talks between Inter and his client Buchanan.
“From the World Cup in Qatar, obviously not in concrete form, but already then we understood that he could be a player who could fit perfectly into the Nerazzurri playing system and therefore that the possible transfer to Milan could be a perfect fit for Tajon.
“In reality these were normal conversations, the same ones we had also had with other important clubs around the world. Of course, but when Inter calls you it’s simply great.”
He was asked how the Canadian wing back reacted when informed that he’d be joining the Nerazzurri.
“Every footballer begins his career dreaming of playing at the highest levels. And when you arrive at a club like Inter, which plays in Serie A, with a fantastic manager and a system where the player’s qualities can shine, it’s simply amazing.
“But there is one thing to tell you, Tajon is not the kind of guy who always smiles. He plays with intensity and passion, enjoying this, but he is not one to smile all the time. Having said that, when he found out it was done with Inter, he smiled, of course.”
The agent gave his thoughts on Simone Inzaghi’s 3-5-2 system.
“It’s perfect for him. He started his career as a striker and then as a winger. From Syracuse University he moved to the MLS. He had Bruce Arena, the former US coach, as his coach and he made him play as a winger.
“Then in Brugge he showed great versatility, precisely because he played as a winger, but also as a full-back. Tajon is explosive in the attacking phase and has also improved a lot in the defensive phase thanks to the work of the last few months.”
Senkowski discussed Buchanan’s first Inter match in person, the crazy win over Hellas Verona.
“Look, Buchanan can’t wait to try his hand at San Siro with the support of the Nerazzurri fans. He wants them to be proud of him. The passion of Inter supporters excites him. Tajon will try day after day to take advantage of the opportunity received, working hard.
“He knows that he has to find his own way, he still has to learn, this is his mentality. To then answer the question, I’ll tell you that he was impressed by how the Inter fans supported the team. And he doesn’t just see that, he personally experiences these incredible feelings.”
He spoke about his client’s adaption period in Serie A.
“Tajon knows perfectly well that he has to get to work. Then when the manager gives him the opportunity to play, he will give his best. As he always has done.
“His mentality is clear, ‘I arrived at Inter, I must always train at the top, impress my teammates and the coach, not expect anything and wait for my chance’.”
The agent touched on what it means for Buchanan to be the first Canadian player in Serie A.
“He is a special person, a golden boy. He made his debut at the age of 19-20 for his country. He’s come a long way since he was young. Tajon knows the responsibility of representing his country also in Serie A.
“He deserved this opportunity because he is someone who always works. I think Inter also signed him for this, for his mentality as a player who always wants to improve and who always tries to give his best.”
Finally, Senkowski was asked why Buchanan decided to join Inter instead of a club in the Premier League.
“Having the opportunity to work with a manager like Simone Inzaghi is important. The Nerazzurri’s system, the same.
“If we look at the history of the wingers that Inzaghi coached, they all did well. Furthermore, Inter are a historic club, in short there was no better place in the world for Buchanan than Inter.”
‼️ Mike Senkowski, agente di Buchanan, ci ha raccontato in esclusiva chi è il nuovo acquisto nerazzurro e le sue prime sensazioni interiste ⬇️⚫🔵 pic.twitter.com/moxenByMqK
— FcInterNews.it (@FcInterNewsit) January 17, 2024