Inter Milan News

The Nerazzurri boss issued a letter of gratitude, thanking the Serb for his successful nine-year stint at the club

Inter club president Massimo Moratti has insisted that Dejan Stankovic will always be loved at the club following his contract termination by the San Siro club.

The 34-year-old only made three appearances for the club last season and, following the Serbian’s fond farewell letter to the Nerazzurri, Moratti poured praise on the midfielder for his endeavours at the Giuseppe Meazza.

“I am honoured to be able to thank such a splendid person as [Stankovic] who has done Inter proud and always responded to the fans’ desires with courage and character,” Moratti told the club’s official website.

“He’s a consummate professional who will always be loved by Inter fans and myself in particular. He’ll be remembered as a battler who fought with class and courage.

“Thank you, Dejan.”

Stankovic made 315 appearances throughout his nine-year spell at San Siro and won five Serie A titles, four Coppa Italia finals and one Champions League trophy during his time at the Milan-based giants.

The Napoli boss has expressed frustration over his previous stint in Serie A, claiming that the Nerazzurri refused to take his ideas into consideration to their own cost

Rafa Benitez has taken a swipe at former employers Inter, claiming the club hierarchy ignored his plans to develop the squad.

The Spaniard replaced Jose Mourinho at the Nerazzurri in June 2010 but was dismissed barely six months later after a string of disappointing results, leaving the then-Champions League holders and 2009-10 season treble winners in seventh place in Serie A.

Inter laboured to a ninth-placed finish in Italy’s top flight last season, and Benitez, who took the reins at Napoli after spending much of last season as interim boss at Chelsea, believes the club has paid the price for not listening to his ideas three years ago.

“I prefer to remember only the positive things from my time at Inter,” the 53-year-old stressed to Minuto 116.

“For example, the fact we won the Italian Super Cup and Club World Cup.

“However, many people pass judgment without knowing what really happened. The truth is that the club and technical staff sat down together to plan a renewal of the squad, including the names of new players, but these suggestions were never followed.

“The way I see it, this was the cause of everything that happened at Inter that year and possibly even in the following campaigns.”

Benitez, who famously led Liverpool to Champions League success in 2005, saw his relationship with Nerazzurri president Massimo Moratti sour after calling for investment in players after the club’s 2010 Club World Cup success.

However, the former Valencia boss insists that he was right to ask for reinforcements despite Inter having just enjoyed the most successful season in their history under Jose Mourinho prior to his arrival.

“In order to continue winning, it is crucial to know when to renew the side. Sooner or later it has to be done,” he continued.

“Now I have the opportunity for a new experience in Italy. I hope it will be a long one, because that would mean we had success and achieved our objectives.”

Following a nine-year stint with the Nerazzurri, the Serbia international has decided to leave the club and published a touching letter thanking the fans

Dejan Stankovic bid a fond farewell to Inter fans on Saturday following his decision to terminate his contract with the club.

Stankovic, 34, made only three appearances last year and is now a free agent following his departure from the San Siro giants.

Last month, the Serb insisted he was determined to stay and fight for his place but with no contract extension offered and sides, including Fiorentina and several from the MLS, reportedly holding an interest in him, Stankovic said an emotional goodbye to supporters.

“Dear Nerazzurri fans,” he wrote in a statement on the club’s official website. “This is your ‘Drago’ speaking, with a sense of emotion but also with great pleasure.

“I don’t know if I can find the right words to say goodbye and to thank you properly for everything you have given me, your affection, your trust and your honesty.

“The last 10 years have been the best of my life. I have grown both as a man and, with immense joy, as a footballer.

“My family and I want to thank the Moratti family. I’d like to mention my president in particular: he gave me the opportunity to wear the Inter shirt, which I have been happy and extremely honoured first of all to play in, and then with which I was able to win everything there was to win.”

Stankovic made 315 appearances for Inter after joining from Lazio in 2004.

His time with the Nerazzurri brought him five Serie A titles, four Coppa Italia wins and one victory in the Champions League.

The promising youngster is determined to make a name for himself with the Nerazzurri and has set his sights on the league title

Mauro Icardi is determined to help Inter recover from a disastrous season by firing them to the Serie A title.

The Argentine attacker is set to join the Nerazzurri from Sampdoria, with the deal expected to be completed by Tuesday, and he outlined his lofty ambitions to transform the San Siro side’s fortunes.

“It will not be easy to take the No.9 jersey at a big club like Inter, but I’m not scared. [Walter] Mazzarri has told me that I will be an important player and I hope that I will not disappoint him,” the 20-year-old told Canarias 7.

“I want to score a lot of goals and help Inter fight for the Scudetto again.

“There were a lot of teams that wanted to sign me before I picked Inter, but none were as important as Inter. I want to make a name for myself at this club in the next five years.”

Icardi impressed at Sampdoria last season, scoring 10 goals in 31 Serie A appearances.

The Nerazzurri have bolstered their ranks with the signing of the French striker as they bid to strengthen on the back of a disappointing 2012/13 campaign

Inter have completed the signing of Ishak Belfodil on a five-year deal from Parma.

The 21-year-old scored eight times in 34 appearances for the Gialloblu last season and that was enough for new Nerazzurri boss Walter Mazzarri to secure his services.

Belfodil told reporters: “Inter are a great team, I’m really happy and I hope to do very well here. Hello all the Nerazzurri fans!“

Inter were hampered by injuries in the striking department last season, with star man Diego Milito suffering a serious knee injury in February which kept him out of action for the rest of the campaign.

His absence coincided with a disastrous end to the season, with the San Siro side finishing in ninth spot in Serie A, and supporters will hope the acquisition of the France Under-20 international will begin a reversal of their fortunes.

Belfodil began his career with Lyon before joining Parma last summer and will add a youthful edge to Inter as Mazzarri looks to rebuild his new club.

The transfer comes just days after Antonio Cassano headed in the opposite direction by leaving the club for Parma after just one season at San Siro.