Galliani: Balotelli arrival does not affect Pazzini future

Jan 31, 2013 11:11:00 AM

The Milan president has made it clear that the former Inter player remains a key part of the club's squad, regardless of any new arrivals

Adriano Galliani has insisted that the arrival of Mario Balotelli from Manchester City does not mean that Giampaolo Pazzini no longer has a role to play at San Siro.

Several reports suggested that Pazzini could be on his way out of AC Milan following the signing of Balotelli, who signed a contract until June 2017 on Thursday, but Galliani has stressed that the former Inter striker remains an important first team player.

"I personally phoned Pazzini before we completed the signing of Balotelli to assure him that he remains an important player for Milan," Galliani told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I have told him that he should remain calm and that we still count on him. He said that my explanation reassured him that he still has a role to play."

Pazzini, 28, joined Milan from Inter in the summer of 2012 in a player-exchange deal that saw Antonio Cassano move in the other direction. He has since scored 10 goals in 20 Serie A appearances.

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