Mike Maignan explains why he joined Milan and insists his main target is not to make the fans forget about Gigio Donnarumma.
The French goalkeeper joined the Rossoneri for €15m from Lille and he will be their starting goalkeeper from next season, with Donnarumma leaving as a free agent.
“I chose Milan after speaking with Maldini and Massara, I can’t reveal all the details, but there’s a great project here,” Maignan told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“I have great memories about Lille and I improved a lot there, as a man and as a footballer, but it was time to change.
“Milan are one of the best clubs in the world, with a great history. I always watched Milan games when I was a child and I spoke about Serie A with Rabiot. It’s a very tactical league.” Maignan continued.
“Training sessions can be very intense and that’s perfect for someone like me who always wants to improve.
“Milan are a top club and it’s normal to have more pressure than in Lille. However, I don’t come here to make fans forget Donnarumma.
“He was an important player for the history of this club. I just want to do my job and give my best for this team,” the 25-year-old added.
Maignan played with Zlatan Ibrahimovic at PSG and Rafael Leao at Lille and will meet them again at Milan.
“I was on good terms with Ibra and I am sure he will welcome me well at Milan. This is a great team and I think I’ll have no problems settling in, also thanks to Rafael with whom I’ve spoken with these days.”
Juventus’ Adrien Rabiot is another one of his former PSG teammates, but Maignan will meet him as an opponent.
“He’s teaching me some words in Italian, I’m listening to him and I am trying to learn,” the goalkeeper revealed.
“I’ll take Italian lessons this summer, now I am focused on the Euros. I am happy that negotiations didn’t take long. I am really happy, but I must remain focused.”