In the presence of Sports Director Stefano Melissano, two of the latest additions under coach Luca D'Angelo, Antonio Čolak and Halid Djankpata, were officially introduced to the press.
"Today, we’re here to present two key players, both signed in the final days of the transfer window. Halid is an Italy U-19 international who developed at Everton, and we hope he’ll become one of our future stars. As for Antonio, he needs no introduction—his career speaks for itself, and his only focus now should be scoring goals. I want to thank Parma for facilitating the transfer that brought Antonio here, and I’d also like to thank both players for embracing our project with such enthusiasm", said Sports Director Stefano Melissano in his opening remarks.
Next to speak was forward Antonio Čolak, wearing number 17: "I want to thank everyone for the warm welcome and the trust I felt from my first conversation with the Director and coach D'Angelo. The two weeks I’ve spent with the team have left me with great impressions, and I’m very satisfied with my decision. I’m just one part of the team.
Throughout my career, I’ve always given my best. Not every season is the same, but whenever I’ve been trusted with playing time, I’ve delivered goals. Here as well, I’ve put myself at the service of the team and the coach, and I will continue to give my all, both in training and in matches, to help Spezia achieve its objectives. Of course, goals are crucial for a striker, but we must always remember that each of us is just one part of the team, and what really matters is the final result, no matter who scores. A striker can also support his teammates, help the team push forward, and be a point of reference. And since we play with two strikers, it’s essential that we position ourselves well inside the penalty area.
There’s plenty of competition for places, but regardless of who starts, the most important thing is that each of us fully understands what the coach expects so that we can instinctively connect on the field, no matter who is paired up. Serie B is a notoriously tough league, so no matter who scores, the priority will always be securing as many points as possible and, at the end, we’ll see where we stand in the table.
I chose Spezia because it’s an important club for me, one that truly wanted me and made me feel trusted. For a footballer, feeling genuinely wanted is incredibly important. I have a fire inside, and I’m eager to prove my worth. I want to show Italy who the real Čolak is, and every day I’ll give my best to do that and to help Spezia earn as many points as possible.
My first experience at the 'Picco' was something special. Last year, with Parma, we won several games after the 90th minute, and when Soleri equalized, I told the bench we would win because there was an air of triumph, thanks to our fans. After Bertola’s goal, it was pure ecstasy. The fans are our energy; they push us beyond our limits. As we’ve seen, when we’re united, we can achieve anything—even winning without a goalkeeper in the final seconds—because nothing is impossible.
As a striker, my job is to make the most of the chances that come our way, especially since in Italy, opportunities can be few, and you need to be clinical and ruthless in the penalty area. At Parma, we played with a different attacking setup, but here we play with two forwards, and our priority will be getting into the box to finish off the chances that come.
Goals? I’d rather keep them to myself and avoid making any big declarations. What I can say is that I’ll do my best to help the team earn as many points as possible.
I’ve joined a very strong team, one that trains hard and plays with intensity, and I’m confident that we can achieve a lot of success this year".
"I am very happy to have arrived in La Spezia, and I sincerely thank everyone who made it possible for me to wear the white jersey. I’ve been warmly welcomed by everyone, and there’s a great atmosphere within the group. I’m expecting a season of growth, especially since this is my first time in a First Team. At Everton, aside from a few training sessions and friendlies, I hadn’t yet been fully integrated into the squad, so I know I’ll need to work hard and give my best to earn my place here," continued Halid Djankpata. "I grew up at Everton, progressing through the youth ranks, but it was time to turn the page, face a new challenge, and test myself in a different style of soccer like the Italian one, where tactics are certainly more emphasized than in England.
I’m a midfielder who loves to attack space, look for assists, and even score when I can, always aiming to use my athleticism to support the team.
My first experience at the 'Picco' against Cesena was remarkable—the atmosphere was incredibly intense. After the first goal, the excitement was overwhelming, and following Bertola's goal, the celebrations were extraordinary. Even Sports Director Melissano’s reaction highlights how much those working for this club care about its success, just as the fans demonstrate their dedication from the referee’s opening whistle. The energy in the stadium was very reminiscent of what you’d find in English grounds.
As for my idol, I’ve always admired Pogba. He’s an exceptionally strong player in many aspects, and I strive to draw inspiration from his style of play to improve myself day by day."
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