CHELSEA summer signing Romelu Lukaku has penned an open letter to Inter Milan fans thanking them for their unconditional love and support.
Lukaku, 28, also asked for supporters to understand the reason behind his move, describing the switch to Chelsea as “the chance of lifetime”.
The striker spent two years at the San Siro scoring 47 goals in 72 league games, and helped to propel Inter to the Serie A title last season.
But Lukaku grew up as a Chelsea fan and after his first spell at the club did not turn out how he wanted the Belgian is clearly determined to put things right.
Lukaku wrote in his letter: “Dear Inter fans. Thank you… Thank you for making me and my family feel at home in Milano.
“Thank you for the unconditional support and love on a daily basis. Thank you for motivating me even more after the first season.
“When I came to Inter I immediately felt that I would do well for this club. The love and reception I first received at Malpensa airport was the start of a beautiful story.
“I made it my mission to never let you down every time I wore the Inter shirt. I gave 100 per cent in every training session and every game so that I could make you proud.
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“Our first season ended in the toughest possible way but you guys gave me the strength to continue to keep pushing and we did as a team. That’s why we became champions together.
“I hope you guys understand my decision to move on to Chelsea. It’s the chance of lifetime for me and I think at this time of my career it is a chance that I always dreamed of.
“One thing is for sure and that is that I will always remain an ‘Interista’ because without you I wouldn’t be the player or man I am today. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Inter fans have not reacted well to the striker’s exit and defaced his mural outside the San Siro while stating they “expected more honest and transparent behaviour” from Lukaku.
Lukaku will likely now start to focus on winning a place in a Chelsea side flowing with confidence after their 3-0 opening day win over Crystal Palace.
Thomas Tuchel is confident Lukaku can work in the same team as Timo Werner but with Christian Pulisic scoring on Saturday and Kai Havertz impressing in the latter part of last season the Blues boss has a selection dilemma on his hands.
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