APPIANO GENTILE – New Inter signing Eder says his mind was made up as soon as he learned of the Nerazzurri’s interest in signing him.
"I spoke to Mancini and when I heard Inter were interested there were no doubts in my mind. I wanted to stay in Italy," began the striker.
"Joining Inter at the age of 29 is the culmination of all the hard work I’ve done in the past and it represents a huge opportunity after 11 years in Italy. I know all about Inter’s history and remember the years when the club was winning everything.
"It’s a massive responsibility and a big challenge. I want to thank president Erick Thohir and all the management team for giving me this possibility," Eder continued.
The Italian has scored 12 goals so far this season, but declared himself more than willing to get his head down and work hard for the team: "Goals are important but so is sacrificing yourself for the team. Some strikers do that and end up scoring fewer goals, but they contribute to the team winning. But as I say, for strikers goals are important. I’ve seen lots of Inter this season and at times they’ve been unlucky or come up against a great goalkeeper."
Inter are Eder’s sixth club in Italy, after he spent time with Empoli, Frosinone, Brescia, Cesena and Sampdoria earlier in his career: "By 22 or 23 I’d scored lots of goals in Serie B and then went out on loan. When I got my chance with Sampdoria at the age of 24 I told myself I had to change my mentality. If you start taking a serious approach to your work then the good things come."
It may only be two days until the Milan derby, but Eder is ready and willing to do his bit for the Nerazzurri cause: "I’ve been training over the last couple of days, I’m in good shape physically and even though there are only two days to go until the derby I’m available. It’s up to the boss to decide. There are lots of forwards here and they’re all doing well – the strength of a team lies in having all the players ready to compete. The main thing is to win the derby. It doesn’t matter who scores."
Asked about his choice of shirt, Eder replied: "I’d always had the No.7 or the No.17, but then when I went to Sampdoria I saw a road sign saying 23 kilometres to Genoa, so I chose that number. Over the years it’s brought me luck."
Last but not least, Eder spoke of his first impressions of the Inter camp: "I felt comfortable right away. I already knew some of the players – the Brazilians and Berni too. I feel great."
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