Pato staying put at Milan
Reuters - Thursday 12 January 2012, 16:40
AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato,
the subject of speculation over move to ambitious Paris Saint-Germain, is staying at the Serie A club, he said on Thursday.
"Milan is my home," the Brazilian, who joined the club in
2007 as an 18-year-old, told Milan's website.
"I don't want to interrupt my career with the black and reds
after winning my first two trophies with this shirt," added
Pato, who helped Milan win Serie A last season and the Italian
Super Cup in August.
"I want to contribute to writing Milan's history and to the
future success of this club with happiness and in perfect
harmony with the environment.
"Today is a special day for me.
"I thank club president [Silvio] Berlusconi, the club and
the supporters who have always believed in me."
Pato has not entirely lived up to his early promise,
however.
He made a stunning professional debut with Internacional in
Brazil, scoring within a minute and setting up two goals in a
4-1 win away to Palmeiras.
He played only a handful of games for Internacional before
being snapped up by Milan.
He also scored on his Brazil debut against Sweden in 2008
but his form dropped off after that and, further hampered by
injury, failed to make the 2010 World Cup squad.