Estupinan on replacing Theo Hernandez, help from De Zerbi, Leao, Allegri impression | OneFootball

Pervis Estupinan says that he hopes to win every competition he is involved in with Milan this season, has spoken about the pressure of replacing Theo Hernandez in San Siro, his excitement to link up with Rafael Leao on the left flank and the advice he has received from head coaches Roberto De Zerbi and Massimiliano Allegri.

The Ecuadorian shared his thoughts on a number of different topics during his introductory press conference on Tuesday.

Estupinan has joined Milan in a permanent deal from Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion at a reported cost of €19m including bonuses. He has put pen to paper on a five-year contract, running until 2030.

Estupinan on joining Milan, becoming the first Ecuadorian in San Siro

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – JULY 31: Pervis Estupinan of AC Milan in action during the match between Perth Glory and AC Milan at HBF Park on July 31, 2025 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

“AC Milan is famous everywhere, not just in my country. I know the players who’ve come through here. I’ve worked hard to get here, and I want to enjoy this moment,” Estupinan told the media at his first Milan press conference.

He continued: “It makes me proud to be Ecuador’s first AC Milan player, and it motivates me to make history. A lot of people have written to me, telling me they’ve always been AC Milan fans. Lots of Ecuadorians living in Milan have said they’ll come to San Siro to support me.

“I feel really good. I’m fully fit. I can’t wait to play at San Siro. At every club I’ve played for, I’ve shown my physicality. It was a great feeling to know this Club was interested in me. My family and I are really happy. This is an opportunity that I want to take as best I can; it’s a dream come true.

“Since arriving in Milan, I’ve received the best welcome I could’ve expected. I’ve felt my teammates’ hunger to do great things. We want to fight, and we hope to get off on the right foot this Sunday. The aim is to get off to the best possible start. The gaffer is asking a lot of us, and he wants to make sure we have a winning mentality.”

Estupinan’s best role, talks with Allegri, replacing Theo Hernandez

The former Brighton and Villarreal left-back revealed where he feels he is most useful in-game: “I like to combine with the midfielders and forwards. I’m doing what the gaffer asks of me. If we play with a back 4, I can get up the pitch and link up with the attackers, but I can also play in a back 3. This is a great group. We’re all motivated to do great things.”

And on his first talks with head coach Allegri, Estupinan said: “My first impressions of Allegri were good; he jokes with his players, but he also gets serious when it’s time to work. He wants to win, and I really like his attitude.”

DUBLIN, IRELAND – AUGUST 09: Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of AC Milan, reacts during the pre-season friendly match between Leeds United and AC Milan at Aviva Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Estupinan is also tasked with replacing Theo Hernandez at left-back. The Frenchman, who spent six relatively successful years in San Siro, left the club this summer to join former Inter head coach Simone Inzaghi at Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League.

“He’s a great player who left his mark on this team. Now, it’s my time. I’ll work hard because I want to repay the faith shown in me. I can’t wait to win a lot of trophies with AC Milan, and I want to contribute to that.”

Advice from De Zerbi, playing with Leao, tribute to Cafu

Did former Brighton head coach Roberto De Zerbi have any advice or tips for Estupinan prior to his Milan switch?

“De Zerbi helped me to understand Italian, but I can’t speak it yet. I’m happy to have been coached by him. He’s a great coach, and he helped me a lot. I have fond memories of our two seasons together, and I’ll try to utilise everything that he taught me.”

Roberto De Zerbi (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)

On the differences between the Premier League and LaLiga, Estupinan said: “The Premier League is so intense, very different from La Liga. You have to run a lot, and the ball moves so quickly. De Zerbi taught me to improve my passing; I worked a lot with him and got much better at it. I’ll try to keep developing at AC Milan.”

And on the prospect of playing with Rafael Leao, he added: “I can’t wait to play with him; I’m ready. We all know how good Rafa is. I can’t wait to play with him. I realised straight away that we will do great things together.”

Why did Estupinan, a left-back, decide to take the no.2 shirt with Milan?

“Wearing the same number as Cafu makes me proud; it motivates me to do better. A lot of players have worn this number, and I chose it because of the nice things he said about me. It’s a tribute to him.”

Official: Pervis Estupinan joins Milan on a permanent transfer from Brighton. (picture via www.acmilan.com)

Estupinan ended his press conference with one final, ambitious message for the supporters.

“The aim is to stay at this Club for a while. I’ve worked hard to get here. I want to make history and contribute with my goals and assists.

“I’m happy to be here and to live in a beautiful city like Milan. It’s so nice to see so many people with AC Milan shirts. It’ll be a big challenge, but I want to make the fans happy. We’re playing in three competitions, and we aim to win them all. I have a lot of dreams, and I want to achieve them.”