GATTONI: "I'M COMING HERE FULL OF CONFIDENCE, DREAMS AND EXPECTATIONS"

Federico Gattoni was keen to show his delight during his first interview with Sevilla FC Official Media since joining the club from San Lorenzo.

After being unveiled this morning, the centre-half spoke in detail about his move: "It's crazy. From the very first moment I felt affection from everyone at the club, both from the fans and employees. It's a pleasure and I feel very comfortable."

Gattoni also acknowledged that he has thoroughly prepared for a new spell in his career: "It's a new challenge. We live for challenge, but this is one for which I have prepared and I'm keen to tackle it. It's been a big step for me. Every change takes some movement, but I took it in the best way and enjoyed everything. Until the last day at San Lorenzo and from the first day here in Sevilla."

He knows just what joining Sevilla FC means: "I am fully aware of the size of this club and the history, they're such a big club and seven Europa Leagues are no mean feat. It's a huge club and that gives you lots of expectations and dreams."

The Argentine believes that the presence of no fewer than five compatriots will help him to bed in quickly: "There are great players in the squad and a lot of Argentines, which isn't a small point when it comes to settling in. I've met some great lads and for me it's a pleasure to be here. They've told me great things, no wonder."

Gattoni follows in the footsteps of a long line of Argentine players at the club: "This club have had some top-class players. I know that there are Argentines who have made history here and it's been good for them, so it's a new challenge for me. I'm here to do my bit and contribute so that Sevilla's history continues to grow."

"I am fully aware of the size of this club and the history, seven Europa Leagues are no mean feat"

Federico has followed the club closely since signing his pre-contract in January: "I followed Sevilla at every moment, I know all about the fans and their demands. It's a great challenge, I can't wait to be at the Sánchez-Pizjuán, it's a great experience that I'm keen to enjoy."

He also wishes to play a key role from defence: "I feel that I'm a player who is always looking to go forward. My aim is to win games and star, which is what you have to be at the big clubs. The intention of the first pass is always important and here you have someone who is going to give his life for the club, as I have always done wherever I have played."

The centre-half then focused on the competitive spirit the current squad has: "This is a squad with great players. You have to compete and I'll always be there to do my bit which is best for the team, that's always the most important thing."

As for any player, the UEFA Champions League is something that serves as extra motivation, as do the special European nights: "It's a great challenge. The team finished the season strongly and we all know what reaching the Champions League means. It made me very happy. For me, the match at home to Manchester United was crazy. How the match was, the non-stop ambition, the passion... you knew that Sevilla were going to take control at every moment. I feel like it was a season of ups and downs, but they finished really well and I think that's a great achievement by everyone."

Attentions then turned to the upcoming UEFA Super Cup clash with Manchester City in Athens: "Every season you have new expectations, but to start with a final is even better. Taking it one game at a time is the best way to go about great things."

"We all know what reaching the Champions League means. It made me very happy"

Gattoni then discussed the early days of his career, a stage of which he is very proud: "Chacabuco was a great time in my life. It was my first step in football, it's the club in the neighbourhood where I had fun, played and grew up. I made lots of friendships and I felt the magic of football when I was very young, and then I started to play at San Lorenzo when I was six or seven. I had a lot of years there where I grew up, learned, improved, experienced lots of things, and I had a lot of friends and people who made me a very good person and helped me become what I am today."

He highlighted how he has grown as a player since he was in the academy: "I've grown in a lot of things, I think I've improved in every way. I can still grow more, this is a step that I hope will fill me with experiences and good things to continue growing as a player and as a person, but in San Lorenzo I learned many values and many concepts. I think that was very important to make me the person I am now."

If Gattoni stood out for one reason at San Lorenzo, it was for his early breakthrough into the first team: "It was an important step in which I could play as a starter. It was a very good first few months in which I was able to establish myself and I was able to get a lot of playing time, which was what I wanted. Then we had some ups and downs, but it was a very nice first step."

He was also named captain from his position as leader of the defence: "I think it's often very important to show who you are, to express your point of view with the utmost respect. That point of personality led me to be captain with a great group behind me, a great coaching staff and an atmosphere that allowed me to be captain, I felt very comfortable, I was filled with experiences and we were able to take San Lorenzo to a better place."

"You have someone who is going to give his life for the club, as I have always done wherever I have played"

The Argentine was also asked about his grit on the pitch and his competitive spirit, something which he described as one of the purest things about him: "I think it's the way that I am and will always be. I've always been known for being competitive, but with the best of interests to have a clear idea of what we want to achieve. My idea is always to do my best and contribute wherever I play. I'm coming here full of dreams and expectations, but I have a clear idea that the objective is to take it one game at a time, that's what leads to great things. But, without a doubt, I'm coming here full of confidence, dreams and expectations."

He is aware of the current positive atmosphere in the dressing room, and is hungry for success: "I've always been hungry for it. As I said earlier, I'm constantly looking to improve, I have a lot to contribute and help out wherever I play. I've very ambitious to fight for things and play a key role."

To finish, he spoke about the fans and is keen to play in front of them at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán: "I'm so keen to play at the Sánchez-Pizjuán, to meet the fans and have that experience. I'm a player who will always contribute and give his all for the club, I will give everything I have to make this season and many more as good as possible. I'm very grateful to everyone who is part of this club."