Alessandro Matri: 'AC Milan return a special feeling'

New AC Milan striker Alessandro Matri has declared that he has a "special feeling" about returning to the San Siro, while vowing to represent the club with honour after being handed the Rossoneri's number nine shirt.

Matri completed a protracted £9m move to join Milan from Juventus earlier today, joining a strikeforce which includes Azzurri internationals Mario Balotelli and Stephan El Shaarawy.

The 29-year-old started his career with Milan before moving on to Cagliari and Juve, and has admitted that he was desperate to return when he got win of Massimilano Allegri's interest.

He told Milannews.it: "It is a special feeling to return to where I grew up and there are several factors that will help me to do well.

"Allegri? I talked to him yesterday when they told me about the transfer, now it is up to me to do well. There were other clubs looking to sign me but when I knew of Milan's interest I tried to push to come back here.

"The number nine shirt? It is an important shirt, I have dreamed about it since I was a child and Marco Van Basten, George Weah and Filippo Inzaghi wore it. I will honour this number."

Milan made room for Matri by allowing Kevin-Prince Boateng to leave the San Siro this afternoon, with the Ghana international joining Schalke 04 for an undisclosed fee.