Spaniard excited by squad being built in Naples.
Napoli goalkeeper Pepe Reina has moved to clarify his recent statements, claiming he isn’t angry at former club Liverpool.
After sealing a loan move to Naples last week, the 30-year-old wrote an open letter to the Liverpool supporters expressing his regret that the club secured the deal behind his back.
However, in an interview with Spanish radio show El Larguero, he has moved to clarify the comments made in the letter.
“I’m not angry with Liverpool – quite the opposite. I am very grateful to them for everything they have given me,” he said as quoted by Football 365.
“My time in England is where I have felt truly like a footballer and I have put my name among the best players. I’m very proud to have played almost 400 games with Liverpool.
“I’ll remember the friends I made in and outside the dressing room. Trophies stay in the cabinet gathering dust, but friends are for life,” he added.
However, after being unveiled to the Napoli supporters on Monday night ahead of the 3-1 friendly win against Galatasaray at the San Paolo, Reina has revealed his excitement over the prospect of working with Rafa Benitez again, and helping the club’s supporters to enjoy success next season.
Napoli finished second in Serie A last year, and despite losing Edinson Cavani to PSG this summer, owner Aurelio De Laurentiis has spent a significant amount of money in bringing in reinforcements to strengthen the squad.
“Rafael Benitez is the best coach I have had. I don’t know if I’d have joined Napoli without him being there. There are many positive things about the city of Napoli and they have a fervent support, like Liverpool’s, but Benitez being there made it much easier for me to sign.”
“We are building a great squad and we hope to be able to compete at the highest level. I also want to fight to win Serie A and return to the Champions League. You miss these things and this year I’m going to experience them again,” he concluded.
Reina joins the likes of Raul Albiol, Jose Callejon, Dries Mertens and Gonzalo Higuain at the San Paolo this season, and appears to be determined to add further medals to his trophy cabinet in the next 12 months.
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