Stankovic's fond farewell

By Paolo Menicucci & Aleksandar Boskovic

Many players have good words for their former clubs when they leave. Few, however, are ready to take a cut in wages in order to compensate their old club for their departure.

Generous gesture
When Dejan Stankovic completed his transfer to FC Internazionale minutes before the January transfer window closed, he revealed, without going into details, that he gave up part of his new personal contract to help S.S. Lazio receive a €4m transfer fee.

Italian first
"I think it's the first time a player gave his former club compensation for his early departure," said Inter managing director Massimo Moretti. "We did not want to pay Lazio because we would have had the player for free in June, but Stankovic accepted a lower salary to guarantee Lazio a fee."

Farewell gift
The Serbia and Montenegro midfield player is ready for a new adventure with Inter but wanted to thank Lazio for giving him the chance to play in Serie A when they signed him from FK Crvena Zvezda in 1998.

'Wonderful years'
"I would never have the reputation I have now if Lazio had not given me the chance," Stankovic told uefa.com. "I owe them a lot. I went to Rome when I was just 20. My coaches gave me enormous support. I spent five and a half wonderful years in Rome, winning the league title and cups."

Inter welcome
The 25-year-old also had good words for his new club. "When I started thinking about moving, after receiving the green light from Lazio, I immediately decided it would be Inter," he said. "I am grateful to Inter's directors, who have gone through long negotiations, never gave up and in the end got me. I will show my gratitude with good performances."

Quick acclimatisation
Stankovic has wasted no time in adapting to his new surroundings, slotting into central midfield in Alberto Zaccheroni's 3-4-3 system. "Twenty-four hours after signing my contract I played my first match," he said. "It was a great help having Zaccheroni here as coach. I worked with him at Lazio. I knew what he was expecting from me and he found a suitable place for me in the team."

Trophy chase
Inter are 15 points behind Serie A leaders AC Milan and already out of the UEFA Champions League but their new signing insists there is plenty to play for this season. "We have no right to speak about the title because we are too far behind Milan," said Stankovic. "But we have to give our best in order to qualify for the next Champions League. Then there is the UEFA Cup and the Coppa Italia. We want these trophies."

Scudetto dream
Stankovic, who has agreed a contract until 2008, knows how desperate Inter fans are for the Scudetto. The Nerazzurri last won Serie A in 1989, and have not lifted a trophy since beating Lazio in the 1998 UEFA Cup final. Stankovic is keen to change that.

Determined approach
"I will consider my time at Inter a success only if we win the Italian title," he said. "The fans deserve it. I am convinced that this new generation of Inter players will bring victories and trophies. I have dreamt of winning trophies with Inter. I will work hard to make this dream come true."