conferenza stampa di Houssine Kharja - Appiano 02-02-2011

(C) interchannel - sky canale 232 - conferenza stampa del 02-02-2011 - This afternoon Houssine Kharja was officially unveiled as an Inter player, after signing on Saturday 29 January on a loan deal until 30 June 2011, with Inter holding an option to purchase. He made his debut the following day against Palermo, when together with Giampaolo Pazzini he helped inspire the side to a 3-2 comeback win. Alongside Kharja at his presentation were Inter technical director Marco Branca, sporting director Piero Ausilio and Leonardo.

"It's an honour and a pleasure for me to be here with the world champions and with Leonardo. I was a ball boy when he used to play for Paris Saint Germain... [he smiles]. I still have a pair of his old shorts, with holes in them now - a souvenir I've kept from back then. He was my idol. I remember his magical left foot: he used to take the most perfect freekicks and corners. As I said, it's an honour for me to be at Inter. Lots of teams were interested in me but when Inter came in I didn't have to think twice. I'm overjoyed to be here and also about how my debut went," declared Kharja.

"I'm a very ambitious player and now that I've joined this club I want to make the gaffer's job as difficult as possible," the midfielder went on. "It's very different to when I was at Roma: I've improved a lot since then, I'm more accustomed to Italian football and if I'm here it's to make a difference. Every training session will be like a cup final for me."

"I've scored against Inter three times as an opponent but I hope I never score any more, because it would mean I'll have been here for a long time. One of the first things I was reminded about when I arrived, by Maicon and Cambiasso, was the equaliser I scored in Inter 2-2 Siena on 11 May 2008," the Moroccan said with a smile. He then went on to speak about the Palermo game, which marked his Inter debut: "Pazzini and I were so happy at the end of the game. Winning here at Inter is an amazing feeling."

Kharja was asked about his position: "I started out as a central midfielder but I've played all across the midfield and, when asked to, I've also played in defence. In midfield I like doing both defensive and attacking duties, but of course it's easier to score playing in the hole behind the strikers."

"I think the Serie A is the toughest league in the world and coming here to play for the holders, to me, means I've made it to the top. More importantly, I want it to be the starting point for lots of success wearing this shirt. Can we win the league? Inter are the best team in Italy and must believe it is possible. We can do it and everyone in the dressing room believes it," added the midfielder.

Kharja was then asked, as an ex-Genoa player, what effect playing alongside a former Sampdoria player like Pazzini would have on him: "What's past is past; my ex-team-mates made fun of me over it but, as I say, it's all in the past now."

Regarding the number on his shirt, Kharja went on to explain: "I chose the number 14 shirt because that's my great friend Vieira's number. He and Dacourt are very close friends of mine and we have been in touch over the last few days."

He then spoke about his time at Genoa: "Last year I broke my knee just as I was on top form. But when I was fit I was always a first-choice player. When the transfer market opened, I had a slight disagreement with the president and asked to be put on the transfer-list. Only he and I know what was said and today I am grateful to him for the respect he had for me. I'm pleased I wasn't part of his plans, however, because now I play for Inter."

He finished with a few words about the national team: "I feel Moroccan inside, even though I was born in France. I am proud to play for Morocco, and have no regrets. I am captain and this is a matter of great pride for me."

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• interchannel
• conferenza stampa
• Houssine
• Kharja

[Sayed14inter]

kharja is a great player and he showed us that against palermo

thumps up if you agree

[LethalDozePL]

I ♥ INTER, Forza Karja!!

[habib2400]

he all so said that when he was a boy and Leonardo was palying for paris st. he was dreaming off to shake his hands;) its a dream for kharja 2 play for inter and his coach

[DARi05]

I will try to resume what he said: He is a very ambitious and determined player, and reaching this level [playing for Clubs' World Champions] is a confirmation for his hard work. He has 10 years of experience in Serie A and even if he had several opportunities to go and play in a different league, he stayed because he rates this championship the best in the world.

FORZA INTER

[TheReboundingHeart]

badabum badabum kharja!!

[Higgnbodem]

i tought that this transfer woulb be bad but Leonardo proofed his class...great transfer!

[Alasli09]

english subs or spanish plz, for all the INTER FANS, can understand what all of our great players said !

[pyt82]

Parla veramente bene in italiano, bravo bravo... e gran gol contro il Bari!

[chitanee]

Kharja

[barcawi87]

Good luck houssine ! very good player

[11jonnyno]

E ci fa già un goal! Grande HOUSS

[alex080990]

@Fullmetalpower90

Ma serio :S