Following a brief trip to Tyneside to pose for photos and visit St James’ Park, Sandro Tonali has flown back to Milan.
He’ll be gathering his belongings, saying his goodbyes and is expected to go on holiday before returning for pre-season training, but he was immediately stopped for an interview by several members of the Italian press outside Milan’s Linate Airport.
The midfielder was asked how he was feeling after leaving for England, quizzed on his decision to swap his boyhood club for Newcastle United and asked about Rafael Leao’s comments about his sudden exit.
Speaking to SempreMilan, Tonali first had this to say when about his feelings now a move to Newcastle had been completed:
“Positive. I met people who wanted me at all costs.
“They were as positive as they were before I got there.”
Tonali was then asked how much of a difficult choice it was to leave his boyhood club for Newcastle:
“The most difficult choice of my career but which had to be made now.
“Milan welcomed me like a son and I will thank them for the rest of my life.”
The 23-year-old was then asked ‘what changed?’ after previously signalling his long-term commitment to Milan:
“It has been a long summer. Our decision doesn’t come [just] from this season.
“But from these ‘last] three seasons. I hope one day to be able to return to Milan and see the fans smiling.”
Finally, Tonali responded to Rafa Leao’s ‘shock’ at his move away from the San Siro, to which he said:
“I spoke to Rafa before the news and it’s normal that they didn’t expect this, but as intelligent people they understood and he himself wishes me the best.”
