Welcome to Milan, Honda!

Adriano Galliani has confirmed that Keisuke Honda has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with AC Milan and says he is expecting big things of the new recruit.

The Japan international's move from CSKA Moscow to Milan was finalised this week following a drawn-out transfer saga that has lingered since the summer.

Honda, who has signed on a free transfer with his contract set to expire in December, could make his debut against Sassuolo on January 12, and Galliani is delighted to have captured his target, though, distanced himself from speculation surrounding Parma midfielder Marco Parolo's future.

"Honda's an excellent player who has always done well up to now," Galliani told reporters on Friday.

"He is presently in Japan, but he will join up with us on December 30. He has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal that will expire in June 2017.

"He has asked for the No.10 and we have given it to him. I do not know anything about Parolo rumours."

The Honda deal ends what has been a good week for Milan as they confirmed their place in the last 16 of the Champions League, finishing runners-up in Group H.

The Rossoneri were the only Italian side to qualify for the next round of the competition - where they will find out their opponents on Monday - with Napoli and Juventus both dropping down to the Europa League, and Galliani is proud of the club's achievement.

"That competition is in our DNA," Milan's vice-president continued. "History shows that, we are the only Italians in the Uefa’s top 10 club ranking.

"For the future coefficient, we’ll have to look out for Portugal.

"Juventus’ game at Istanbul? It was a tie that should have been postponed. You could not play football on that pitch."


/Goal.Com/