Theo Hernandez admitted he didn’t have to think twice about moving to Milan and said it’s ‘incredible’ to work with former hero Paolo Maldini.
The Milan left-back started the new season with an assist in the 2-0 win against Bologna on Monday and continues to impress since his €20m move from Real Madrid in July 2019.
The 22-year-old had only played 13 games in La Liga with Los Blancos but had gained experience during spells on loan with Deportivo Alaves and Real Sociedad in the Spanish top tier.
Theo Hernandez admitted he didn’t have to think twice about moving to Milan and said it’s ‘incredible’ to work with former hero Paolo Maldini.
The Milan left-back started the new season with an assist in the 2-0 win against Bologna on Monday and continues to impress since his €20m move from Real Madrid in July 2019.
The 22-year-old had only played 13 games in La Liga with Los Blancos but had gained experience during spells on loan with Deportivo Alaves and Real Sociedad in the Spanish top tier.
When Milan came calling, the French defender said it was an ‘easy’ decision.
“It was easy for me,” Hernandez told The Athletic. “It’s the club that has won the second-highest number of Champions Leagues. It’s Milan!
“I didn’t have to think very long at all. I spoke with my family and representatives but when I heard about the interest, I instinctively knew it was a great place to drive my career forward.”
He continued to recall his first conversation with former left-back and current technical director Maldini and said the Rossoneri legend ‘persuaded’ him.
“Paolo called me up one day and said he wanted to talk. We were in Ibiza and the conversation we had when he said he wanted to sign me was incredible,” Hernandez said.
“He showed faith in me and persuaded me this could me my home. I knew him to be a legend and a true great.
“He gave me lots of advice during that meeting and still now, he tells me things to improve and how I can become even more complete as a left-back.
“To have that insight from a guy like Maldini is incredible.”
Hernandez has played 38 competitive games for Milan and has contributed seven goals and six assists in the process.