Napoli left-back Mathías Olivera said it is a “great responsibility” to wear the No. 17 shirt, which club legend Marek Hamšík donned.
The Slovakia international is the club’s all-time leading appearance maker and is third on the Napoli scoring charts. He was the first player to overtake Diego Maradona’s previous record of 115.
And Olivera said he is aware of the responsibility at his presentation as a new Napoli player.
Speaking a press conference, he said: “Yes, I know it was worn by Marek Hamšík, who made history at this club, for many years.
“I know have a great responsibility in this sense. I will do everything to honour this number.”
Olivera said Uruguay team-mate Edinson Cavani, who scored 104 goals in three season with Napoli, urged him to make the move to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
The ex-Granada player added: “I am at a club with international fame and I am really excited. I asked Edinson Cavani for his opinion while with the national team and he spoke really well of the club and the city.
“He told me I made the right choice. It was the same with [former Napoli players] Walter Gargano and Mariano Bogliacino.
“Being at a club where so many Uruguayans have played is another reason for me to be proud.”
Olivera said Uruguay team-mate Edinson Cavani, who scored 104 goals in three season with Napoli, urged him to make the move to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
The ex-Granada player added:
Olivera, 24, joined Napoli from Granada earlier in the summer. He has six Uruguay caps and made his debut for the national team this year.
Cavani was at Napoli from 2010 to 2013 and won a Coppa Italia during his second campaign.
He’s an ex Getafe player, not Granada.