MILAN – He’s twenty-six years old, he’s been in Italy since 1996, he made his Serie A debut for Vicenza at the age of seventeen, and at Brescia last season he scored against Milan. A good start for neo-Nerazzurri player Pierre Wome, born in Douala, Cameroon on 26 June 1979. Out-of-contract Wome joins Inter on a free transfer and has signed a one-year deal which expires on 30 June 2006, guaranteeing Roberto Mancini the services of a complete left-back who is at home in a 4-4-2 line-up. He’s not just a useful left-back, he’s also a player who has a good dose of European experience, having played for Fulham in England and Espanyol in Spain.
He’s on holiday with his wife and two children at the moment, but Pierre took time out for his first Nerazzurri conversation with Inter.it. « Inter are a very big club who have everything needed to win a lot and they already achieved a goal this year by winning the Coppa Italia, » said Wome. « I’m obviously feeling very proud, I’m also very happy and I hope I can contribute to a very big victory. »
On his past experience in Italian football, the Cameroonian defender said: « This really is the best and most difficult championship in the world, and when you’re playing elsewhere all you think about is coming back. And it’s a second home for me. I have lived in Italy for many years and I like it here. »
Wome’s Italian experience has paved the way for a successful career at international level. « I won two African Cups with the U21s, another two with the national team and I have played a total of four, » he explained. « We beat Spain in Sydney in 2000 to win gold at the Olympics, and I took the last, decisive penalty. I have played in two World Cups, in 1998 and 2002. »
Did Wome know he’s the first Cameroonian player in the history of Inter? « No, I didn’t know this, but it makes me even happier and prouder. You’ll see, I’ll have many reasons to do myself proud. »
