Italy full-back Matteo Ruggeri explains he was ‘enchanted’ by the Aston Villa project and hopes to continue impressing in the Champions League after Atalanta and Atletico Madrid.
The versatile player just turned 24 last month and after coming up through the Atalanta youth academy, he was sold to Atletico Madrid last summer for €17m.
Just a year on, he made another switch to the Premier League for €25m plus add-ons to Aston Villa.
Ruggeri ready for Aston Villa and Italy
“I am very happy to be here,” Ruggeri told the official Aston Villa media channels.
“It’s very exciting for me to be part of this club, I can’t wait to meet my new teammates and start this adventure.”
Despite his experience, Ruggeri is yet to play for Italy at senior level, even though he has been called up quite a few times to be part of the Nazionale squad.
“I was really enchanted by the project of the team, I know it’s a huge league with big expectations, and looking at recent results, I had no doubts about saying yes and being part of this club,” he continued.
“I’ve definitely watched lots of Aston Villa games, and was really impressed by the intensity that the coach wants, the quality of the football he demands, and this is why I had no doubts about coming here to begin defending these club colours.”
After winning the Europa League last season, Aston Villa secured qualification for the Champions League, a tournament where Ruggeri already has three assists in 23 appearances between Atalanta and Atletico Madrid.
“Last season was important for me, because we got to the Champions League semi-finals, and I hope to do just as well with Aston Villa, and then win a trophy with this club.”
As so many who came through Atalanta, Ruggeri is a left-back, but also a wing-back in a five-man midfield.
“As a child I really liked Paolo Maldini as a left-back, but over the years I didn’t have a specific player to model myself on. He was the one I looked up to when I was a kid.”
Ruggeri could potentially make his debut this weekend in the Premier League against Brighton and Hove Albion, then Arsenal the week after.
“I saw many videos and photos of the stadium, and I can’t wait to play there, because I saw the fans are incredible. I can’t wait to get to know the atmosphere.”
