Strahinja Pavlovic has announced himself to AC Milan fans by stating that he is ‘ready to fight’ after arriving from Red Bull Salzburg last week.
Milan officially completed their second signing of the summer last week as Pavlovic joined the club on an initial four-year deal with an option for a fifth. He arrives to bolster the back line, and we analysed what he will bring during a recent in-depth scouting report.
All major sources are reporting that the transfer fee is €18m plus €2m in bonuses and his salary is €1.5m net per season until 2028. An interesting detail is that the Serbian has taken the number 31, the same one that was worn by Jaap Stam in his time with the Rossoneri.
Pavlovic’s official press conference is at Casa Milan on Thursday afternoon, but he gave an interview to the club’s media channel as part of the new ‘Face-Off’ former where the player plays table football and answers quickfire questions.
Some world famous defenders have played for Milan. Which ones from the past inspire you?
“Great defenders like Maldini, Jaap Stam and Alessandro Nesta have passed through Milan. They were amazing but unfortunately I was too young to follow them. But, these three were incredible.
“The No.31 was the same as Stam, he is a legend and I am happy to be able to wear his number. It was also my number in Salzburg: I like it a lot.
“Which Serbian defenders inspired me? For me, Vidic. He was great defender, and the way he played, I watched him when I was young, I followed him a lot and he inspired me a lot.”
Have you met Novak Djokovic, who is a Milan fan?
“No, unfortunately I haven’t met Novak Djokovic yet but I hope to see him at San Siro, I know he’s a big Milan fan. He’s done great things, he has a huge personality and I like him a lot.”
You will reunite with Noah Okafor, who was also at Red Bull Salzburg…
“In the dressing room and not only it is very important to have a winning character, I pay a lot of attention to this aspect. Obviously I am very happy to find Noah Okafor again, to play with him again: we played together for two seasons and we have a good relationship.”
What are you like off the pitch?
“Off the pitch I’m a normal boy, like everyone else: I like playing football and I try to do it with joy, passion and emotion. Family is very important to me: my father, my mother and my younger brother have always been with me during these years.
“I am very grateful to them for everything they have done for me. When I was 3, 4 years old my father played football and I always wanted to go and watch him. I started playing when I was 6, it was love at first sight. It was a long journey, now I’m here and I’m very happy and proud.”
You have played at San Siro…
“I will never forget the moment I entered the field during the warm-up in Milan-Salzburg, the atmosphere was very hot. The fans were singing Sarà perchè Ti Amo, and even though I was an opponent at that moment I liked it a lot, just as I like the song a lot.
Are you looking forward to meeting Paulo Fonseca?
“I am ready to fit into mister Fonseca’s game system and see what he will ask of me. I am ready to fight, I will do everything that is asked of me.”
Daym he look scary,
Maybe he could become fusion of Vidic and Stam
“Great defenders like Maldini, Jaap Stam and Alessandro Nesta have passed through Milan.”
Hmmm 🤔 all three…..where have I seen this before hahaha
😂😂😂🤣🤣