Mauricio Pinilla has pledged to repay Palermo for giving him the step up to Serie A. “I wasted my talent too much in the past.”
The Chilean was one of the stars of Serie B last season, netting 24 goals in as many games for Grosseto before an injury cut the campaign short.
With Edinson Cavani’s sale to Napoli, Pinilla now takes centre stage at the Stadio Barbera.
Not available in your region? Download ExpressVPN to listen now.
“I wasted my talent too much in the past, but I have changed thanks to my family, who made me understand what is truly important in life.
“I feel happy and at Palermo I have the opportunity to show football’s hierarchy that I belong here too.”
The 26-year-old is certainly well-travelled, as he was bought by Inter in 2003, but never actually played at San Siro.
He was sent out on loan to Chievo and Celta Vigo, then had spells at Sporting, Racing Santander, in Scotland with Hearts, Universidad de Chile, Brazil’s Vasco da Gama, Cypriots Apollon Limassol and eventually Grosseto in 2009-10.
“Palermo have put their faith in me and I must repay them with goals,” he told the Giornale di Sicilia.
“I am in good shape and have been training with the squad for a few weeks. It is the first real pre-season training I’ve had with a team in five years.
“I feel ready and do not fear the competition, as there will be room for everybody.”