Dacourt, Maxwell and Maicon sign for Inter

[GiorgioII]

MILAN - F.C. Internazionale has completed the signings of Olivier Dacourt, Maicon Douglas Sisenando and Maxwell Scherrer Cabelino Andrade. All three players will meet their new team-mates when pre-season training begins at Angelo Moratti Sports Centre tomorrow evening at 19:00.

Dacourt, born on 25 September 1974, arrives at Inter on a free transfer from Roma. The French midfielder, who has also played for Strasbourg, Everton, Lens and Leeds United, has signed a two-year contract.

Right-sided Brazilian player Maicon, born on 26 July 1981, joins Inter on a permanent deal from French club Monaco. He has penned a five-year contract.

Maxwell, a left-sided Brazilian player born on 27 August 1981, has signed a four-year contract with Inter. Maxwell began his career at Cruzeiro before transferring to Ajax, and was on the books of Empoli for the second half of last season

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DACOURT: "WHY I CHOSE INTER..."
Saturday, 15 July 2006 12:36:51
APPIANO GENTILE - Part one of Olivier Dacourt's presentation news conference:

Why did you decide to join Inter?
"Because I still haven't won a Scudetto in Italy and I want to be part of this project. It is a great team that I have come to know, and the chance of winning the Scudetto is a big incentive for me."

Roberto Mancini said yesterday that your ex-team Roma could be one of your closest rivals for the Scudetto. What do you think?
"Roma are certainly an excellent team. We did very well last season, but they have changed a lot of players now. I am only thinking about Inter now because I'm here, and if Roma do well then I'm pleased. But like I said, I'm just thinking about Inter now."

Did you have other offers before deciding to join Inter?
"I was out of contract and I had many chances to go and play elsewhere. But I really like living in Italy and Inter is a great team. This is the reason for my choice."

What do you think of the Inter environment? What are you expecting from this adventure?
"I am a football player. Whichever team you join, you just want to play. If we look at the Inter squad we can see that it is strong and competitive. I will have to train hard and aim to give my best when I have the chance to play. But the coach will decide, I'm just a player."

[GiorgioII]

Who did you support in the World Cup final?
"I am French and proud to be. I obviously supported my country. But I also had some friends who were playing for Italy. I was a bit disappointed at the end of the game because I wanted France to win the World Cup. But this is football: Italy deserved to win six years ago at the European Championship but France imposed themselves, and the opposite happened at the World Cup."

What do you think of what happened between Zidane and Materazzi in the World Cup final?
"I wasn't on the pitch and I don't know what Zidane and Materazzi said to each other. But for children and everyone watching the match it certainly wasn't a nice incident. Zidane's wasn't a nice gesture, but I prefer to remember his last match with the 'cucchiaio' penalty kick."

Are you surprised by the football trial sentences?
"I prefer not to make any comment on all these things for now because there is still the appeal trial. It is not the right moment to talk, so let's wait."

[GiorgioII]

I am happy that these deals have been tied up. Dacourt is necessary as we need a midfielder for the coppa italia. We really need to sign another playmaker though as Cambiasso, Pizarro and Dacourt are our only central options at the moment along with Stankovic who I guess could be selected there. Maicon and Maxwell on the other hand are terrific talents and will provide great attacking threats on the flanks. Bravo Inter.

[King Adriano]

i'm very satisfied with 3 of them and i wish them all success with Inter.