Football
10y

Nemanja Vidic ready for Inter chapter

New Inter Milan signing Nemanja Vidic is looking forward to embarking on a new challenge in Serie A.

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Vidic, 32, was unveiled to the media on Friday after joining Inter as a free agent this summer following the end of his contract at Manchester United.

And the defender, who spent eight seasons at Old Trafford, said he regrets not making the move to Italy a few years earlier.

"I should have arrived to Italy many years ago,'' Vidic told the club's official website. "Finally I have the opportunity to play here. I don't think this is a step backwards in my career, I believe this is a step forward for me.

"Italian football suits my game well and, as I said before, I have joined one of the big European clubs. English football is different to Italian but that doesn't mean that Italian is more simple.''

Vidic has signed a three-year contract with the Nerazzurri, who finished fifth in Serie A last season, and he is ready to help them return to winning ways in Italy and in Europe.

"Inter is one of the top clubs in the world, with a great history and tradition,'' he said. "There was a new project in place and I immediately liked it.

"When Inter made an approach, there were many other clubs interested in me but not AC Milan. I'm happy to be here. I know the [club] president [Erick Thohir] has a long-term plan and he wants to keep Inter at a high level.''

Reports in Italy claim Vidic could be handed the captain's armband after Inter's long-term skipper Javier Zanetti retired last month.

However, the former Serbia international says there is no truth in the speculation.

"First of all I have to earn a place on the pitch,'' he said. "I've always given my best regardless of whether I have the captain's armband.''

Vidic is aware he will have to adapt to the tactics of Inter coach Walter Mazzarri.

"Last year I was able to watch many Inter games and I've had the opportunity to get to know my new team,'' he said. "I've never played in a three-man defence but the role of a defender remains the same whether you play with three or four in the line.''

Inter, who have not won the scudetto since the 2009-10 campaign, will compete in next season's Europa League.

"Even if I had stayed at United I would not have played in the Champions League,'' Vidic said. "We will play in the Europa League. I don't regret joining Inter.

"A club like Inter always has important ambitions and we will just have to make this club proud.''

When asked if his former United teammate Javier Hernandez would follow in his footsteps and join Inter this summer, Vidic said: "I don't know anything. He has not asked me for information about Inter.''

Hernandez has been strongly linked with a move away from Old Trafford, with Inter among the clubs reportedly keen to acquire his services.

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