Ciro Immobile looks forward to 'the season of my return' with Lazio, and to the responsibility of replacing Miroslav Klose.
The 26-year-old and the Biancocelesti took a small gamble with each other, as both lost some prestige after a variety of events this year, but they are hoping to start again together.
Ciro Immobile looks forward to 'the season of my return' with Lazio, and to the responsibility of replacing Miroslav Klose.
The 26-year-old and the Biancocelesti took a small gamble with each other, as both lost some prestige after a variety of events this year, but they are hoping to start again together.
“Lazio are an important club with more than 100 years of history,” Immobile told the Press today. “There's great organisation here. I'm going to give it all the grit I've got, you can be certain of that. Let's hope we can reach some substantial targets together.
“I first had some contacts with the club during the Euros, I was exchanging jokes with the president [Claudio Lotito] who was there. Although of course, during the expedition in France, you can't give 100 per cent of your attention to this argument.
“I've been drawn here because of Lazio's history and the great players who wore these colours.”
Immobile will now be taking up the mantle of Miroslav Klose, who just ended his career with the Aquile this summer.
“It's a great responsibility, let's hope it goes well compared to the recent past. After all, earlier I was labelled as the new [Robert] Lewandowski or the new [Carlos] Bacca. Still, it's right that you should be given responsibility when you play in clubs as important as this.
“The derby? Yes, I know it well. It's certainly going to be an important match.”
The striker then discussed the past two seasons, in which he met with a lot of hurdles with Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla.
“They've been different season. In Dortmund there were problems within the team, we were last in January. Things are never easy for a foreigner abroad, never mind in a situation like that.
“But I'm pleased about the experiences I made. That year I scored four goals in the Champions League when I had my first season as a starter. It was useful.
“Last year I was never given an opportunity to express my talents because I played very few matches. I chose to go to Torino because I wanted to take my chances for the Euros.
“I hope this is going to be the season of my return and that of Lazio. We can do great things together.”