Davide Zappacosta admits it’s a strange feeling to be back at Atalanta, as both the former Chelsea wing-back and the club have changed so much over the years.
He had been on the verge of a move on loan to Fiorentina, after similar experiences at Roma and Genoa, but La Dea were ready to purchase him on a permanent basis.
It is also first and foremost a return to the club where he started his career in the Bergamo youth academy.
“Let’s just say my adventure began with Atalanta, they launched me in football and I am proud to be back here as a grown man, but still with the memories of when I was in school,” said Zappacosta on the official club website.
“I am now back here aged 29 with a lot more experience behind me and I hope that I can pass that on to my teammates.”
It’s safe to say that Atalanta have also changed in the intervening years, as this is their third consecutive Champions League campaign.
“My first season with Atalanta was pretty difficult, as we were fighting for Serie A survival. Now I find Atalanta have grown so much, from the club to the squad and even the training ground. They deserved all of this.
“I still got goosebumps when I saw the youth sector where I was living and think back to all the sacrifices I made to get here. Atalanta gave me my Serie A debut and I was always so glad to see them play in the Champions League.”
🎙 “L’Atalanta mi ha lanciato nel calcio dei grandi e per me è un motivo di orgoglio essere tornato qui da uomo”
🙌 “#Atalanta launched my senior career, and it makes me proud to have come back here as a man”@DZappacosta‘s first words 🎥👉 https://t.co/cQF95TOGcI pic.twitter.com/vwFlATPPqM
— Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) August 25, 2021