Tomori: How Personal Phone Call From Maldini Convinced Me To Join AC Milan

Chelsea loanee Fikayo Tomori has revealed how a conversation with legendary defender Paolo Maldini convinced him to join AC Milan.

Maldini, who is the technical director at the Italian side, played more than 900 times for the European giant before retiring and joining the backroom staff.

And Tomori, who has been out of favour for much of Frank Lampard’s reign at Stamford Bridge, has now confirmed it was club legend Maldini who was key in persuading him to join the Serie A giants.

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“I chose to come here to AC Milan because it’s a club with a great history, with great players and obviously the club is in a good moment right now,” Tomori told AC Milan’s website.

“It’s an opportunity that I couldn’t turn down. It’s a huge honour for me to be here.

“When I first got the call, I was a bit… I wouldn’t say confused, but I was surprised! I spoke to Paolo Maldini. The best defender to ever play football was talking to me and asking me to come, so from there I knew that this is where I wanted to come and play football and to learn from him as well. I’m very happy to be here now.

“Paolo Maldini, the best defender that ever played! When I was young and I was [playing as] a striker or a midfielder, Kaka was someone that I really enjoyed watching, [Clarence] Seedorf as well.

“To be able to put on the shirt that they wore is a huge honour and if I have half the success that they had, I’ll have a good time here.”