Monaco’s Stephan El Shaarawy says he's ‘sorry the Milan link is cut’ but that ‘the environment was no longer for me’.
The winger left for the Ligue 1 side in the summer and recently played his 15th game for them, triggering a clause that obliges the French team to buy him outright.
The Italy international discussed his motives for the move and the changes he has encountered since leaving the peninsula.
Monaco’s Stephan El Shaarawy says he's ‘sorry the Milan link is cut’ but that ‘the environment was no longer for me’.
The winger left for the Ligue 1 side in the summer and recently played his 15th game for them, triggering a clause that obliges the French team to buy him outright.
The Italy international discussed his motives for the move and the changes he has encountered since leaving the peninsula.
"It's a formality now, although I’m sorry that the link is cut,” he said to Gazzetta dello Sport.
“They were beautiful years, despite the injuries and everything else. I don’t forget what I did in 2012, but it was time to change. I’ll start again from here.
"There’s nothing I’d do differently. I was out for a long time with injuries. I couldn’t help it and I was aware of my strength. The injuries in a way made me grow.
"I was in the heart of Milan fans and entered into the hearts of Monaco fans. My relationship with French football is improving and I’m adapting.
“It’s a more physical and less tactical style of football, you work a lot with the ball, but it’s going well, it's fun. I'm looking for consistency and Monaco are just two points from second place.
"Let’s say that the environment was no longer for me. I am not talking about Milan, but everything revolving around football at Milan. I was upset by the stuff I read because I know how hard I worked to recover from injuries.
“It’s not nice to hear some bad things, certain rumours can destabilise a person even if he tries to resist. Social media now has more cons than pros: there is too much envy and malice towards famous people, the atmosphere became a little negative.
“I love Milan I will not forget what was there. I like to see all the guys on the pitch and I'm happy for example for Donnarumma, a great goalkeeper even if he’s just a teenager.”