‘Papa’ excited about Milan move

(GSM) – Sokratis Papastathopoulos is delighted with his move to Milan from Genoa. The Greek richt-backsuccessfully completed his medical yesterday with the club and joins on loan until the end of next season.

After another disappointing season in the Serie A and the Champions League, the Rossoneri have been linked with a number of transfer targets and the Greece international is excited about his move to San Siro.

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Papastathopoulos said: “You can do it how you like.

“Papastathopoulos is my surname, but it’s too long and it won’t fit on the back of my shirt, so I have chosen to put Sokratis on it instead. But my friends call me Papa and I like it.

“I am young, I have a lot of desire to learn and work. I will put myself at the service of the team. I am a central defender who, if there is the need, can play at right-back no problem.”

The 22-year-old defender played 30 matches for the Grifoni last season and also featured for Greece at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

“Apart from the satisfaction, because I have touched the highest point of my career, I feel the responsibility of having shown who I really am.

“I will find a group of champions. I will have to integrate, listen, study and learn.

“First of all, I would like to thank my family: papa, mamma and my brother who have never left me and have allowed me to do what I wished for since I was a child and become a footballer.

“I admire Paolo Maldini, Nesta and Cannavaro. They are the greatest players that I have seen in action,” he concluded.