Martin Skrtel is “happy to be back in the Champions League with Atalanta” and heard “only good things” about the Serie A club.
The former Liverpool and Fenerbahce defender was a free agent and signed a one-year contract with the Orobici today.
“I’m happy to be here obviously and I’m proud to be part of this football club and I’m looking forward to starting with the team on the pitch,” Skrtel told the official Atalanta website.
Martin Skrtel is “happy to be back in the Champions League with Atalanta” and heard “only good things” about the Serie A club.
The former Liverpool and Fenerbahce defender was a free agent and signed a one-year contract with the Orobici today.
“I’m happy to be here obviously and I’m proud to be part of this football club and I’m looking forward to starting with the team on the pitch,” Skrtel told the official Atalanta website.
“I’ve been here all day today and I can feel this club is very organised with nice and kind people, so I’m happy to be here.
“I found everything here, so the players can only focus on their own job and do their best on the pitch, because the facilities and everything else are top quality.
“I know that Atalanta finished third in the league last year and will be part of the Champions League this season. That will be great for the team.
“I spoke with a few friends who play in Italy and they told me only positive things about Atalanta. I think finishing third in Serie A, which is a strong competition, you must have real quality. I saw a few games, they play very well, so I am happy to be a part of this team.”
Skrtel brings much-needed experience to the defence, but also his trademark grit and determination.
“I try to do my best and give my all on the pitch for the team, do my job at 100 per cent and as a defender try to be aggressive against the opponents to stop them scoring. So that’s what I can offer to the team.
“For a player, the Champions League is the top competition and every player dreams about the Champions League, especially when you are a kid, as it’s always something special.
“I played in the Champions League with Liverpool and I’m happy that I can be part of the tournament again with Atalanta. I’m looking forward to it, but also to my Serie A debut, as it’s something new and I can’t wait to be on the pitch.
“Many people say that I am totally opposite off the pitch to on it. I try to be always nice, open to talk to people, but obviously not on the pitch…
“I believe my family will be happy here. I have an eight-year-old son who loves football, so he already looked up everything about Atalanta on the Internet.”
Image credit: @atalanta_bc Twitter