Japan international Keisuke Honda was formally unveiled as an AC Milan player in a press conference on Wednesday.
The 27-year-old has joined the Rossoneri on a three-and-a-half year deal after his contract with Russian outfit CSKA Moscow expired.
Honda will be ineligible for the Champions League after featuring for his former club in the group stages, but will hope to make an immediate impact in Serie A.
Speaking at a press conference, Honda said: "It's been an exciting time and I'm really happy to be here.
"I always said that I would play in Serie A and wear the number 10 shirt. So I was desperate to come here and play.
"I'm delighted about the interest in me and I want to thank (Milan Vice-President Adriano) Galliani and the club for this transfer. I now want to show on the pitch what can I do."
Mired in 11th place in Serie A, Milan are hoping the Japanese midfielder can help the club to a second-half surge.
Honda added: "I understand there are high expectations and I've got to show what I'm capable of. I want to score many goals, assists. I'll do my best."
The former VVV-Venlo player star also revealed that Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni, a former Milan coach, encouraged his move to Italy.
He said: "Zaccheroni advised me to come here as Milan are a top side in Serie A."
Honda is the latest in a handful of Japanese players to appear in Serie A, following Hidetoshi Nakata, Shunsuke Nakamura, and Yuto Nagatomo, who is currently with Milan's city rivals Inter Milan.
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| New signing Keisuke Honda poses with AC Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani during his unveiling Photo: Getty Images |
The 27-year-old has joined the Rossoneri on a three-and-a-half year deal after his contract with Russian outfit CSKA Moscow expired.
Honda will be ineligible for the Champions League after featuring for his former club in the group stages, but will hope to make an immediate impact in Serie A.
Speaking at a press conference, Honda said: "It's been an exciting time and I'm really happy to be here.
"I always said that I would play in Serie A and wear the number 10 shirt. So I was desperate to come here and play.
"I'm delighted about the interest in me and I want to thank (Milan Vice-President Adriano) Galliani and the club for this transfer. I now want to show on the pitch what can I do."
Mired in 11th place in Serie A, Milan are hoping the Japanese midfielder can help the club to a second-half surge.
Honda added: "I understand there are high expectations and I've got to show what I'm capable of. I want to score many goals, assists. I'll do my best."
The former VVV-Venlo player star also revealed that Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni, a former Milan coach, encouraged his move to Italy.
He said: "Zaccheroni advised me to come here as Milan are a top side in Serie A."
Honda is the latest in a handful of Japanese players to appear in Serie A, following Hidetoshi Nakata, Shunsuke Nakamura, and Yuto Nagatomo, who is currently with Milan's city rivals Inter Milan.
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