“Torino My First Choice” – Cesare Casadei Talks Transfer Saga, Compares Himself to Lazio Legend

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·4 febbraio 2025

“Torino My First Choice” – Cesare Casadei Talks Transfer Saga, Compares Himself to Lazio Legend

New Torino signing Cesare Casadei explains his choice while revealing his great admiration towards former Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

The Soap Opera

The former Chelsea midfielder didn’t make a single appearance in the Premier League this season, but he was still the object of one of the most dramatic soap operas of the January transfer session, as Lazio and Torino were neck-and-neck in a back-and-forth race for his signature.

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The Granata eventually prevailed, with the Biancocelesti then turning to Reda Belahyane, signing the 20-year-old French Morrocan on deadline day.

First Option?

In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport (via LazioNews24), the 22-year-old claimed that the Turin-based side was always his primary choice, as club president Urbano Cairo was the first to showcase a great desire to sign him.

I chose Torino because, from day one, it was the first club that showed so much trust in me. Starting with the president Urbano Cairo, who I want to thank because he allowed my desire to return to Italy to be fulfilled. Toro has always been my first choice. Luckily, we managed to complete the transfer.

Cesare Casadei on Sergej Milinkovic-Savic Links

Casadei also agreed with those who compare him to Lazio legend Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, revealing himself as a great fan of the 29-year-old Serbian midfielder.

I see myself in him in terms of physical and technical characteristics. He was a great inspiration of mine.

While the Italy U21 starlet won’t be Sergej’s heir at Lazio, he has become a teammate of Il Sergente’s younger brother Vanja Milinkovic-Savic who guards Torino’s goal.