Keita Balde Diao is about to fulfil a childhood dream of playing for Inter after securing his Serie A return in an initial loan move from Monaco.
The Senegal international will be a familiar face for Inter fans, having previously enjoyed four seasons in Serie A with Lazio, who he left last August.
Despite establishing himself as a significant talent at Lazio, Keita and the club s management had a rocky relationship and his departure in 2017 was not a surprise, even if his eventual destination of Monaco raised a few eyebrows.
He scored eight times in 23 Ligue 1 appearances and, although his spell there was brief, Keita s agent Roberto Calenda credited Monaco with bringing the winger s smile back prior to Monday s official announcement by Inter.
The loan deal is reportedly costing Inter €6millon, plus another €30m if the move becomes permanent next year, and Keita is in dreamland.
| I ll give my all to make the fans happy. s first comments as a Nerazzurri player
— Inter (@Inter_en)
I am so happy to be here at Inter and I will give everything to make the supporters happy, the 23-year-old told InterTV.
I am back in Italy with a massive desire to represent such a big club. I ve already got experience in Serie A and I want to do well.
Since I was a kid, I have always dreamt of playing for Inter and I want to do it really well.
I have always liked Inter s fans. They are always kind and polite and now, hopefully, I can make them happy every week.
