RISCONE DI BRUNICO – It's been a long round trip for Jonathan Ludovic Biabiany but he's finally completed the journey and made it home.
Having emerged from the Nerazzurri youth ranks and subsequently plied his trade at Sampdoria and Parma, he was then courted by half of Serie A before suffering unexpected heart problems.
He opened his press conference today by talking about his time on the sidelines. "I waited for as long as possible before coming back but I was never afraid I wouldn't play again. I was told I'd be able to return to the game and here I am."
The Frenchman was introduced to the gathered journalists by sporting director Piero Ausilio. "Jonathan is coming home for the third time. He was a member of our youth academy and became world champion with us. I hope he continues along this path and enjoys all the success he deserves."
'Biabia', as he's affectionately known by the fans, is clearly a determined man. "I'm here to prove myself all over again alongside top-class players. It's a challenge on two fronts for me."
On his potential move to AC Milan: "I was looking for a new professional challenge and I had agreed to join them. They are the ones who discovered my heart problems. Now I'm at Inter and I really wanted to come here. The club offered me all their support. This is my home and they treated me as such."
The jet-heeled forward has not only joined his old club again, he's also linking up with Roberto Mancini once more. "I remember going on training camp with him last time," the 27-year-old said. "I haven't spoken to him about my role yet; he's just asked how I'm doing and how my recovery is coming along.
"I'm back here after nine years and I hope we have a great season ahead of us. There was already a strong squad in place and now it's even stronger. We're aiming to win as much as possible this year and I want to play my part in it."
The Nerazzurri are of course a different team from the one he left. "Everything's changed from when I last played here but I think we can do really well. I was sidelined for eight months but ever since my first day back in training my only thought has been to get back to 100% and climb as high as possible in the league."
Biabiany also commented briefly on the latest crop of youngsters coming through the Nerazzurri ranks. "I've watched a few training sessions at Interello and Gnoukouri's brother looks like a real talent. He reminds me a bit of myself when I was younger. I was also impressed by another Allievi kid, Gravillon, who plays in defence."
Finally he had a word for his former club Parma: "I wish them all the best. Sadly it didn't go the way we hoped it would. I hope they can make a fresh start with serious people in charge and get back to the top quickly – that's where they deserve to be."
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