Argentinian welcomed by sold-out San Paolo on Monday night.
Napoli have officially unveiled new signing Gonzalo Higuain to their supporters ahead of the friendly with Galatasaray.
The 25-year-old joined the club in a €40m deal last week, and was presented to a sold-out San Paolo ahead of the friendly against the Turkish champions on Monday night.
The Partenopei were set to stage a huge celebration with fireworks, music and cheerleaders, but their additional plans were cancelled in respect to the tragic events which occurred in nearby Irpinia.
However, they were still able to present both Higuain and Pepe Reina to the supporters, although neither were able to take part in the friendly as their international transfers have not yet come through.
#NapoliGalatasaray è stata anche l’occasione per presentate la nuova maglia e @G_Higuain #AcquaLeteCup pic.twitter.com/syTPdNbygt
— Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) July 29, 2013
Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis spoke to the crowd prior to bringing Higuain out, and had kind words for the Argentinian international.
“Higuain is a very sweet guy and I decided to sign him last Monday. We met his father and his brother in a room at the Venice airport and we quickly reached an agreement,” he said as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“We then had to get locked into a room with the lawyers at Dimaro, as the rules forbade us from letting him train with the rest of the team. On Saturday morning I broke the deadlock and in the afternoon he became to all effects a Napoli player.”
The former Real Madrid striker then addressed the supporters and thanked them for their incredible welcome to the club, while also promising that he will give his all to helping them become successful next season.
Napoli went on to win the friendly against Galatasaray 3-1 thanks to goals from Goran Pandev, Juan Zuniga and Lorenzo Insigne, with the Colombian being booed on to the field prior to the game before getting an improved reception after scoring.
Speculation continues to link him with a move to Juventus, although coach Rafa Benitez recently suggested that he is likely to stay as reported by Football Italia.
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