Guglielmo Vicario: “It’s a dream for me to be here”
Tue 27 June 2023, 18:00|
Tottenham Hotspur
The excitement was tangible as Guglielmo Vicario spoke about his move from Empoli to Spurs.
One of the most highly-rated goalkeepers in Italy after impressive performances in Serie A, form that has seen him become a regular in the Italian national squad, Guglielmo, 26, has signed a contract with the Club that will run until 2028, subject to international clearance and a work permit. He will wear the number 13 shirt.
“Yes, I’m excited,” he told SPURSPLAY. “It’s a dream for me to be here, one of the biggest teams in England and in the Premier League. I’d like to start quickly, to join my team-mates because, for me, it’s a big pleasure to be here.”
Asked for his reaction when he was told of the chance to join us, Guglielmo explained: “I didn’t believe this opportunity. I told my agent it’s my first choice, I want to go to the Premier League and a big club like Spurs. For me, it’s so exciting.
“I want to learn a lot of things because the culture of football in Italy is so different. I need to adapt quickly to my team-mates, to the style of play, so many differences between Italian football (and the Premier League). The fans are amazing as well, the buzz when you play well. I love this mentality.”
Guglielmo is relishing the chance to work under new Head Coach Ange Postecoglou and his coaching staff as we begin preparations for 2023/24. “I spoke with him, and he told me the keeper is so important with his attacking mentality,” said the Italian. “He wants to dominate the game. I love this mentality. It will be a big chance for me.”
In terms of his hopes for the new season, he added: “I think we need to fight a lot. We have to take the best for the Club. I don’t want to make specific goals, because we have to focus day by day. If we work a lot, follow the coach, I think we can reach a lot of goals. We are a big team of big players. For me, the team is amazing.”
Guglielmo’s arrival marks the next step of a journey that started at the fourth tier of Italian football, Serie D, when he was a youngster making his way in the game at the likes of Fontanafredda and Venezia, gaining senior football experiences at the age of 18 and 19. That journey has taken him into Serie A with Empoli, the Italy national squad and now a new adventure at Spurs.
“I just wanted to play football, not thinking what it could be in the next years,” he said. “I just think the best thing is to concentrate on the present, what you can do now, not what you will do. I concentrate on the present and I live my life, my experience, my football. I train a lot. I love to train. Now, this is my dream. I want to live my dream now.”
