The meeting with Albertini went smoothly. It was so smooth that Li Ang could not believe it.
He spoke a lot to the former AC Milan coach, persuading Albertini to join them.
Then, just as he shut up and took a sip of water, the elegant Italian man spoke. "I may need a few days to sort out the things in Italy."
Li Ang almost choked on his water. He coughed twice and widened his eyes. "Demetrio, what do you mean?"
"I said I'm willing to play at Gihon." Albertini blinked. To be honest, when he met the young China coach, he was still a little surprised, curious and impressed, even though he was mentally prepared. It was not easy for a Chinese to achieve such results in Europe. Li Ang's frank and assured talk about the structure of the team after he joined made Albertini feel Li Ang's sincerity. Then, he made a little joke. He found it very interesting to see Li Ang's surprise.
Li Ang was overjoyed. He laughed and said, "Demetrio, welcome, welcome. I believe that you will not regret today's decision."
This meeting could be said to be a pleasant one. Li Ang also removed a burden from his heart. With such a veteran in the midfield, he was finally relieved.
Albertini was now a free agent. He could sign the contract after he made the decision.
Both sides were not wishy-washy people. They completed the signing soon after.
Albertini signed a two-year contract with Sporting de Gijón, with an annual salary of 900,000 euros. After the contract expired, both sides were free to extend the contract for another year, depending on Albertini's condition and personal wishes.
This contract also made Albertini feel the sincerity of Li Ang and Sporting de Gijón. Before this, whether it was Atalanta or other clubs that had contacted him, they were only willing to sign a one-year contract with him. This also made the Milan vice-captain, who had been wandering around for many years, feel very lonely.
The two-year contract and through the communication with Li Ang, Albertini really felt that Li Ang valued him. This China coach, who was younger than him, really relied on him.
"Demetrio." Li Ang shook hands with Albertini. "Welcome to Gihon."
Albertini smiled. "Same for me. I'm very honored to join your team. Say hello to Fernando for me. I'm very happy to be able to compete with him. "
"No problem." Li Ang said with a smile.
Li Ang's chest was burning and unusually happy. Whether it was Hierro or Albertini, they could be said to be his former idols......... from the beginning, he had watched these star players.... now, the former Real Madrid captain and former AC Milan vice-captain had become his players.........
*****
Back at the hotel, Li Ang expressed his gratitude to Hierro. He knew that Hierro had recommended Gihon to Albertini. This played an important role in Albertini's transfer process.
Hierro was also very happy when he learned that Albertini had agreed to join Gihon. As the saying goes, heroes appreciate each other. It was quite a good feeling for two old rivals to work together in the twilight years of their careers.
Sporting de Gijón would stay in Italy for about a week. In addition to the friendly game against Palermo, they also played a friendly game against Di Natale's former parent team, Empoli.
In this game, Li Ang arranged for Albertini to sit on the substitutes' bench and come on as a substitute in the second half of the game.
When the Italian fans in the stands saw Albertini come on as a substitute, they were stunned. Previously, there was no news that Albertini had chosen to play in Spain. Previously, the news said that Albertini was close to signing for Atalanta.
In this game, Empoli was a Serie B team. Sporting de Gijón was a newly promoted team in Spain. There was very little attention. Only a few local media outlets from Empoli and Gihon's media were in the media seats. However, at this moment, the media seats were shocked.
Albertini had actually joined Sporting de Gijón?!
Albertini was old. After leaving AC Milan, he had been idling and wandering. However, as an important member of the previous Milan dynasty, his every move was still closely watched.
The few Italian reporters began to get busy. Soon, the news that Albertini had joined Sporting de Gijón, a newly promoted team in La Liga, began to spread.
The final score of the game was 2-0. Sporting de Gijón had won their first pre-season friendly game. After Di Natale received a pass from Mata, he broke through his former team's goal and took the lead for Sporting de Gijón. Albertini's free kick assisted the substitute, Maikol Pihra, to head in the goal.
Compared to the score, Li Ang paid more attention to the process. Although Albertini had just joined the team and his tacit understanding with the players was not enough, Li Ang was keenly aware that the Italian star player's deployment in the midfield was trying to slowly sort out the team's midfield. This was a good sign.
Li Ang was also satisfied with Albertini's free kick assist. It must be known that Albertini was good at free kicks. As a famous free kick master, Albertini's free kick would provide Sporting de Gijón with an important way to score.
*****
On the afternoon of the same day in Spain, Sporting de Gijón's official website also officially announced that the team had signed a two-year contract with the former AC Milan superstar, Albertini.
The news excited the fans of Gijón. Albertini's Rossoneri team had shocked Europe. Now, the addition of the former AC Milan star was enough to cause waves in the Spanish football world.
The reporter of the Voice of Gijón, Mitra, expressed excitedly in his column that Sporting de Gijón's biggest weakness in the midfield with the addition of Albertini. The experience and ability of the Italian veteran would be what the young Sporting de Gijón needed the most. Now, with Albertini in the midfield and Hierro in the defensive line, these two famous veterans would inject the most noble experience and confidence into the young Sporting de Gijón!
The rest of the Gihon media were also full of praise for this signing. They could clearly see that the young Gihon Athletic needed the experience of a veteran, especially after the transfer of Miguel Kobas. They needed an absolute core in the midfield, and the timely addition of Albertini would take on this important role.
The other Spanish media also reported the news of Albertini's joining.
Of course, it was not all good. Marca reporter Phelps raised doubts in his own report. He believed that the arrival of Albertini, who was already at the end of his career, would not provide any help to Sporting de Gijón. Sporting de Gijón's weak midfield would continue to trouble this newly promoted team. Phelps even asserted that Albertini would leave Gijón in disappointment in less than half a season …
Sporting de Gijón returned to Spain after the warm-up game against Empoli. The only difference from when they went to Italy was that they came back with one more person. Albertini had also settled the matters in Italy and followed the team to Spain.
At the Madrid airport, Li Ang casually picked up a copy of Marca, then pointed to the words in it with a smile and told Albertini.
"Demetrio, they said you're old," Li Ang joked.
Albertini heard this and glanced at his own photo in the newspaper. It was a photo of him wearing a red and black battle robe.
The elegant Italian man smiled but didn't say anything.
Li Ang smiled. He had achieved his goal. The Italian veteran was infuriated. Albertini was not the kind of person who would scold people in anger. He knew that behind this smile was the Italian man's unwillingness and unwillingness to accept his old age deep in his heart.
*****
After successfully bringing in Albertini in the midfield, Li Ang finally turned his attention to the front line again.
Antonio Di Natale, Michael Pijra, and David Lago. These were all the strikers he had on hand.
There were only three strikers, and Sporting de Gijón had to compete in the Copa del Rey, UEFA Europa League, and La Liga this season. The configuration of three strikers was definitely not enough.
He needed to continue to strengthen the strength of the front line.
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