Inter Complete Loan Signing of Parma Full-Back Matteo Darmian
Inter have confirmed the signing of full-back Matteo Darmian from Parma. The deal is initially a loan, but includes an obligation to complete a permanent transfer in the summer of 2021.
Darmian had joined Parma following a disappointing four-year spell at Manchester United and is the latest ex-Premier League player that coach Antonio Conte has brought to San Siro.
Darmian joins former United teammates Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez and Ashley Young at Inter, as well as ex-Tottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen and ex-Manchester City defender Aleksandar Kolarov - the latter albeit via a spell at Roma.
Having played just 14 league games across his final two seasons in Manchester, Darmian made 33 Serie A appearances for Parma during the 2019/20 campaign. He had also already played twice for Parma at the start of 2020/21 and is seeking a recall to the Italian national team.
A place in Italy’s squad for the delayed Euro 2020 could be up for grabs if Darmian helps Inter achieve their goal and finally topple Juventus in Serie A. The 30-year-old defender last played for the national team in 2017 and has previously been to Euro 2016 and the 2014 World Cup.
The move to Inter represents a move back home for Darmian, who hails from the city and actually started his career with stadium neighbours and rivals Milan. He joined the Rossoneri youth ranks as a schoolboy and went on to make his first-team debut at just 16 during the 2006/07 season.
Darmian left Milan permanently in 2010 after failing to secure a permanent first-team place. He joined Palermo, then Torino, who were in Serie B at the time. It was in Turin that he made his name, earned a first senior international call-up and secured his high profile move to England.
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