NANJING – F.C. Internazionale and Suning Holdings Group held a press conference on Monday to officially announce the strategic partnership between the Nerazzurri and the Chinese organisation, which has acquired a majority stake in the club.
First to speak was Suning Holdings Group chairman Zhang Jindong.
"I would like to thank all of our guests and the journalists in attendance. It’s a pleasure to be here. I’m sure that you found it just as exciting as I did to relive some of the club’s glorious moments as we came into the press room.
"The Suning Group entered the world of football less than a year ago and now we have become a partner in a glorious club such as Inter. It’s a huge responsibility and we thank president Thohir for having chosen us from the many potential partners.
"Becoming a leader in the sports industry is part of the Suning Group’s strategy. Over the next five years, we want to become one of the main companies driving market growth and football is a new area into which we are expanding.
"Football in China is growing exponentially, so the decision to acquire Inter is one of great strategic importance. Ours is an international business and soon our brand will grow in Europe too.
"Inter is our gateway: they are the Italian club with most fans in China and the club that was first to believe in us, 38 years ago. It’s another step in our growth and the growth of Chinese football. Suning will bring an even greater international dimension to Inter, something that the founders of the club focused on right from the beginning. We will make Inter even stronger and ensure continuity with the club’s history.
"Many wonderful players have worn the Nerazzurri jersey and Inter are one of the biggest clubs in Italy and Europe. We want to rebuild the glorious past, following on from the work done by Massimo Moratti and president Erick Thohir to take Inter back to the top.
"The first time I set foot in San Siro was an emotional moment and I became an Inter fan right away. The arrival of Suning will guarantee a brighter future for the club."
Inter president Erick Thohir then took the floor.
"Thank you for your attendance, and thank you Chairman Zhang for your welcoming words.
"I am honoured to stand here before you, in Nanjing, at the start of what I am sure will be a successful partnership between Suning Holdings Group and Inter Milano.
"As we have just heard, the strategy of Suning in the area of sports is a serious one and part of a much wider global strategy for the company. Sport and football especially is taking a firm hold in China.
"China is looking to embrace and develop the game both at home and abroad.
"We at Inter Milano are very proud that you have decided to invest in and grow the club.
"We are a global brand – a brand that carries with it 108 years of proud football history and heritage. We are known as “Brothers of the World”. This new partnership is testimony to our founding ethos. We are truly international. We reach across borders. We embrace players from all countries from the four corners of the globe.
"With regards to our relationship with China, last year we played a series of matches here as part of our pre-season tour playing in the International Champions Cup against other great sides with European heritage such as Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and AC Milan.
"And may I remind you that Inter Milano was the first Italian Serie A team to visit China way back in 1978. The club came here on tour and played three matches including one against the Chinese national team in Beijing that was attended by 80,000 fans who witnessed a 1-1 draw.
"So we have a relationship that stretches back almost 40 years.
"I am proud of my involvement in Inter Milano since I became its President back in November 2013. Firstly, I pay my tribute to the former President, Massimo Moratti, who cannot be here with us today but sends his regards.
"Massimo Moratti and his family are strongly linked, through a long and victorious history, to this famous club of Internazionale Milano.
"I take this opportunity to thank Massimo and his family again, not only for the great part they have played in Inter Milano, but also for the openness they showed me when I became President.
"As we know, the sports world has continued to evolve in recent years. We have now entered an age of true globalisation.
"To compete, both on and off the pitch, a big and prestigious club such as Inter Milano needs the support of a global player in order to reach our objectives. This is necessary to continue building the off-field business and provide the necessary means to invest in infrastructure, youth and, of course, the team on the field in order to win trophies.
"That is why I am so excited by the entry of Suning to the club.
"Suning has a great vision for the future of sport and the role it can play today in society as you just heard Mr Zhang say. Sport is a key element in helping to promote an active and healthy lifestyle for the population in general.
"As well as the health benefits that sports brings, it also unites people and helps them enjoy great moments of passion together. Sport is a great way of integrating people – it brings people together from all nations, cultures and religions. Sport knows no boundaries. And today’s announcement is a testimony to that.
"I am grateful to Chairman Zhang and to Suning for their faith in me. Together we can take this great club forward and return it once more to the heights of European football. I am sure that we can achieve great things once more.
"Suning FC and Inter Milano can help to develop this great game of ours in China, while we will both gain from exchanges on the technical, sporting, and youth development side. Exciting times lie ahead for both clubs!
"Thank you to all the players of FC Suning who are here today and, of course, to our own club legend here with us too, our Vice President Javier Zanetti, an inspiration to the club and to all our fans. Grazie Javier!
"Before I end, I'll take the chance to reach out to all our partners, whether they be sporting, technical, or sponsors, and I ask that they embrace and support this new partnership in the same spirit of fair play and openness that is such a part of Inter Milano’s DNA.
"Finally, a message to all our fans, the Interisti all around the world. Thank you for your support, your trust and your love for our team.
"We are sure that together with Suning we will continue to build a strong, proud and winning Inter Milano."
Nerazzurri vice president Javier Zanetti spoke at the end of the news conference.
"I'm excited to be here and it's an honour for me to represent my club at such an important time.
"Inter have a wonderful history with great values and unique, special fans. Working alongside such a strong, competent, highly ambitious group as Suning will help us to achieve great results and make our fans happy.
"We want to build a strong team capable of challenging in Italy and Europe."
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