Gianluigi Donnarumma looks past Manchester derby to challenge Man City to ‘dream’ win

Gianluigi Donnarumma lifted the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain last season and he has now challenged his new club Manchester City to do the same

Gianluigi Donnarumma says it would be “a dream” to win the Champions League with new club Manchester City.

Italy goalkeeper Donnarumma joined City from Paris St Germain on deadline day in a deal worth an initial £27million. The 26-year-old will make his City debut in Sunday’s derby at home to Manchester United but already has his sights set on retaining the Champions League title he won last season with PSG.

“I think the Champions League is the best trophy for a football player,” said Donnarumma. “It was an indescribable emotion [to win it]. We have the game against Napoli, which is a difficult one, however all games are difficult. Napoli have a strong team. I know them, I have a lot of friends there, however there are no easy games in the Champions League.

“I hope to get as far as possible in the Champions League. It’s one of our goals, I’m not going to hide it. Lifting the Champions League trophy with City would be a dream for me.

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“It’s one of our goals. However, we have to work calmly and hard and we have to think game by game.

“But together with the coach and the staff I am convinced we will be able to go far. But now we have to work humbly and think game by game.”

On his new challenge at City, Donnarumma said: “It’s a new chapter in my life and my career. Playing in the Premier League with City is a great emotion for me and I’m ready for this challenge.

“I’ve always dreamt about playing in the Premier League, as it’s the best league in the world. For a player, I think achieving in the Premier League is the maximum for his career.

“I’m really happy to be here, I’m willing to take to the pitch for this club, which has been trying so hard to sign me, and I hope I can pay that trust back.

“It’s a club that has always fascinated me. I’ve always followed it with pleasure. I see everything around me like the training centre and the stadium, they are fantastic.

“You can’t tell what the club values are until you really see it with your own eyes. I’m proud to be here and happy about the choice I’ve made and I hope I will make history here and win as many trophies as possible.

“I’m very determined. I have a lot of goals. We will have to be united together as a team. And for my first impression this is something that is not lacking.

“The group and the staff are amazing. I have great goals, I’m hungry for victories and to bring a lot of trophies to the club and to make history and win together.

“I won a lot in my career so I will always be thankful to them for everything they gave me. However, I am fully focused on my new challenge here now to make history here and become a symbol for the city and for the club.

“But most of all to make the fans proud and win a lot of trophies together as it’s a historic club and deserves to be as high as possible.”

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