New signing Davide Petrucci is looking forward to his first loan spell.
Peterborough United completed the loan signing of midfielder Davide Petrucci from Manchester United on Wednesday and the former AS Roma man is relishing his first loan spell away from Old Trafford.
The 21-year-old has initially agreed a one-month loan deal at London Road, but has revealed that if all parties agree, that could be extended until the end of the season. The versatile performer trained with his new team-mates for the first time on Wednesday and is in line for his first appearance on Saturday at Nottingham Forest.
‘It was actually quite a while ago that I first heard of the interest from Peterborough. I have obviously been playing for the reserves recently, and I wanted and knew that the next step forward was to come out on-loan. I thought it was a great opportunity to come and I am happy to be here.
‘I have met the rest of the lads and hopefully I can learn from the more experienced boys and improve during my time here. I am here just to help the team, and hopefully they can help me as well and we can achieve something important,’ Petrucci said.
Petrucci joined Manchester United at the age of 16 from AS Roma in Italy and he admitted it was a big step to leave the country of his birth. However, the lure of one of the biggest clubs in the world was an opportunity that could not be missed.
‘It was a massive move because I was already at a top team in Roma. Roma were the team I supported and still do, but when I heard about United’s interest, I was very keen to make the move. I was very happy with the move. I have had an injury, which was very frustrating, but I have fully recovered and am looking to push forward.
‘I was fortunate to be at Roma when Francesco Totti was at the club and he was incredible. Sometimes, you can learn from just looking at players. I was watching and I could learn every day. He is still playing and is one of the best. Totti and Zinedine Zidane are my footballing heroes,’ Petrucci added.
The Italian admits it has been a joy to train with some of the best players in the Premier League at Carrington and is hoping to put into practice what he has learned during his loan spell.
‘The players at United are fantastic. They have a superb winning mentality. You can learn so much from them. I speak to people like (Paul) Scholes, (Ryan) Giggs and (Rio) Ferdinand and all of them can give you something, it’s good very good environment to play your football.
‘I am very happy to be at Peterborough with my team-mate Scott Wootton. I have known Scott for a long time, so I am very good friends with him and that helps as well. We live together now and hopefully we can play together and do well.
‘I have taught Scott a little bit of Italian and he has taught me a little bit of Scouse, so we are getting on just fine,’ Petrucci concluded.