Kondogbia completes Inter switch – club

MILAN: French international Geoffrey Kondogbia has completed his “dream” move from Monaco to Inter Milan, signing a five-year deal with the Serie A club after snubbing city rivals AC Milan at the 11th hour.

“Being a part of this great team is a dream come true. I want to be here for as long as possible,” Kondogbia told fans after completing his medical on Monday.

“As a kid I used to watch Inter play on TV, and now I’m joining this huge club. I will give my all.”

The 22-year-old Frenchman, who spent two seasons at Monaco after joining the Ligue 1 club from Sevilla, is expected to earn four million euros a season plus performance-related bonuses after making a last-gasp decision to snub AC Milan.

Monaco are expected to receive a fee believed to be in the region of 35 million euros.

Milan CEO Adriano Galliani said Sunday he believed he had tied up Kondogbia’s move to the seven-time European champions on Friday afternoon.

“At 1.30 (pm) it was all done,” Galliani told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “Monaco had given us the green light for the transfer at EUR40m with payment spread over two years, EUR20m and EUR20m.”

However Inter flew in with a late, improved offer which appeared to sway the player and his representatives. Kondogbia, who said he was convinced to move to the club by coach Roberto Mancini, is expected to earn more at Inter due to performance-related bonuses.

Galliani added: “After we exchanged the documentation, at 1.30pm everyone disappeared. Obviously they changed their minds or the others offered more.” - AFP