Dzeko reveals why he ‘immediately’ wanted Fiorentina move | OneFootball

Edin Dzeko was unveiled as a new player of Fiorentina today, giving his first interview to the press after joining the club last week in a free transfer from Turkish club Fenerbahce.

Speaking to the gathered media, with quotes from Gazzetta.it, the Bosnian forward kicked things off by saying “ambition is the foundation of everything else. First and foremost, I expect a lot from myself and I also have to put myself at the service of the younger players. I’ll give my all to help Fiorentina grow.” He then added that “I’ve never set myself targets for goals or assists because the team comes first, but they are still certainly important. We must be ambitious because that’s the foundation for achieving important results.”

Experienced Dzeko aims for big things at Fiorentina

Dzeko signed a one-year deal with La Viola, including an optional one-year extension. This guarantees he will be playing into his 40s as the 39-year-old aims to prove that age is no obstacle.

ZENICA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – OCTOBER 11: Edin Dzeko of Bosnia and Herzegovina reacts during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A3 match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany at on October 11, 2024 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)

The forward reflected on what it means to join a club like Fiorentina: “As a child, I remember Batistuta in the purple jersey and his Champions League matches. In recent years, Fiorentina has played in many finals and, even though they lost, they showed the determination to get there. Of course, losing three finals isn’t a coincidence and perhaps that’s why a coach like Pioli was hired – who has already won and will allow us to improve and gain even more experience.”

Fiorentina will be aiming to be amongst the top teams in the upcoming Serie A season but Dzeko was eager not to get too caught up worrying about a top-four finish: “If we’re not included in the race for the top spots, maybe it is better for us – but Fiorentina need to think big! We’re all good guys but we shouldn’t always be that way on the pitch.”

Dzeko: ‘When my agent told me Fiorentina were interested, I wanted to sign immediately’

The former Manchester City and Roma striker also revealed a bit more of the background of his move to Fiorentina this summer, detailing that “When my agent told me about Fiorentina, I wanted to sign immediately. I had no other ideas in mind. I just wanted to return to a big club and to Italy. Everyone speaks highly of this city; there will be time to explore it with my wife.

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – JUNE 10: Edin Dzeko of FC Internazionale reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2022/23 final match between FC Internazionale and Manchester City FC at Ataturk Olympic Stadium on June 10, 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Dzeko also had words of praise for new attacking teammates Albert Gudmundsson and Moise Kean: “They are both great players. Moise can still improve, but last year showed more of who he is, just like Albert did in his first year in Serie A. There’s no competition between attackers. I always say that great players need to play together. But the first thing to think about is the team. I’ve always thought about the team before myself and I want to help make my teammates even stronger and help them however I can.”

This will be Dzeko’s third stint at an Italian club, having played for Roma from 2015-2021 and Inter from 2021-2023. In his time in Serie A, the Bosnian striker has scored over 100 goals and lifted two Coppa Italia trophies with the Nerazzurri, in 2021-22 and 2022-23.