Keita living childhood dream after securing Inter switch

Keita Balde Diao is about to fulfil a childhood dream of playing for Inter after securing his Serie A return in an initial loan move from Monaco.

The Senegal international will be a familiar face for Inter fans, having previously enjoyed four seasons in Serie A with Lazio, who he left last August.

Despite establishing himself as a significant talent at Lazio, Keita and the club’s management had a rocky relationship and his departure in 2017 was not a surprise, even if his eventual destination of Monaco raised a few eyebrows.

He scored eight times in 23 Ligue 1 appearances and, although his spell there was brief, Keita’s agent Roberto Calenda credited Monaco with bringing the winger’s smile back prior to Monday’s official announcement by Inter.

The loan deal is reportedly costing Inter €6millon, plus another €30m if the move becomes permanent next year, and Keita is in dreamland.

| “I’ll give my all to make the fans happy.” @keitabalde14 ‘s first comments as a Nerazzurri player   https://t.co/NZIV2t7sfx #WelcomeKeita #InterIsHere #FCIM pic.twitter.com/XGBxbCytiW

— Inter (@Inter_en) August 13, 2018

“I am so happy to be here at Inter and I will give everything to make the supporters happy,” the 23-year-old told InterTV.

“I am back in Italy with a massive desire to represent such a big club. I’ve already got experience in Serie A and I want to do well.

“Since I was a kid, I have always dreamt of playing for Inter and I want to do it really well.

“I have always liked Inter’s fans. They are always kind and polite and now, hopefully, I can make them happy every week.”