Trophy challenges and lofty ambitions motivated Can’s move to Juve

MILAN: Emre Can has said he moved to Italian champions Juventus from Liverpool because he was attracted to the Turin side’s ability to consistently challenge for titles as well as being lured by their ambitious targets.

The German international joined Liverpool in 2014 and played his 167th and last match for the Premier League side in their Champions League final defeat by Real Madrid in May.

“The club (Juventus) had good contact with my agent for many years. I just know how huge the club is and the mentality of the club — they want to win titles. That’s my mentality too. I came here to win titles,” the 24-year-old told reporters.

“I think the first target has to be to win Serie A and then comes the Champions League.That has to be our aim. I am here to help the team.“I decided to come to Juventus because I think the project here is very big. They have very big aims. I want to be part of the project here.”

Juventus have dominated Italian football for years, with the Serie A giants winning the league title in each of the last seven seasons and completing the domestic double in the four most recent campaigns.

However, the Italian side have failed to extend their dominance to Europe, with Juventus last winning the continent’s elite Champions League trophy in 1996.Can says his move was also fuelled by his long-standing admiration of Juventus, including watching his idol and France legend Zinedine Zidane play for the Italian club.