New Parma signing Christian Panucci has declared that he almost joined AC Milan earlier in the summer.
Parma new boy almost joined Rossoneri
New Parma signing Christian Panucci has declared that he almost joined AC Milan earlier in the summer.
The defender agreed a one-year deal with newly promoted Parma on Thursday after leaving Roma at the end of last season.
The 36-year-old is delighted to have come to Parma but has hit out at Milan general manager Adriano Galliani for changing his mind about taking him to the San Siro.
"There was almost an agreement with Galliani but he then went back on his word," Panucci told reporters.
"He didn't want to know anything more and that upset me, because if you reach out your hand to someone, that's more important than a signed paper.
"I'm very happy to be here, I'm as happy as a child, it's a great challenge for me.
"I came here with great enthusiasm to play football, the thing that makes me the happiest.
"I will try to be a footballer with great humility and professionalism, as I have always done in my career."
Sadness
Panucci admits it was difficult to leave Roma after eight years with the club, although he fell out with manager Luciano Spalletti last season and was heavily fined after refusing to take his place on the substitutes' bench for a match against Napoli.
"I am very tied to Roma, to the club, to the Sensi family but after eight years the relationship was closed and when you arrive at the end there's always great sadness," he reflected.
"But I gave everything I could give and I don't have any regrets and now the only thing that matters is Parma."
