Romelu Lukaku has shown gratitude to Inter fans for their support over the past two years but urged them to understand his ‘chance of a lifetime’ decision to leave Italy and return to Chelsea this summer. The Belgian striker took to social media to post a heartwarming letter, thanking the Nerazzurri supporters for their affection.
“Thank you for loving me as one of your own. Thank you for making me and my family feel at home in Milano. Thank you for the unconditional support and love on a daily basis. Thank you for motivating me even more after the first season,” Lukaku wrote on Twitter.
“When I came to Inter, I immediately felt that I would do well for this club. The love and reception I received at Malpensa airport was the start of a beautiful story. “I made it my mission to never let you down every time I wore the Inter shirt. I gave 100% in every training session and every game so that I could make you proud.
“Our first season ended in the toughest possible way, but you guys gave me the strength to continue to keep pushing and we did it as a team. That’s why we became champions together.
“I hope you guys understand my decision to move on to Chelsea. It’s a chance of a lifetime for me and I think at this time in my career, it’s the chance I have always dreamed of. One thing is for sure and that is that I will always remain an Interista, because without you I wouldn’t be the player or man I am today.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you. Thank you so much. Always, Forza Inter!“
Lukaku joined Inter from Manchester United in the summer of 2019 for a club-record fee of €80m. During his two-year stint at the Giuseppe Meazza, the 28-year-old racked up a staggering 64 goals and 16 assists in 95 appearances.
He spearheaded Inter’s title charge under Antonio Conte last season with 24 goals from 36 Serie A outings. Lukaku’s prolific displays in Italy earned him a lucrative £97.5m return to Chelsea this summer.
The ex-United flop spent three underwhelming seasons at Stamford Bridge before leaving west London for good in 2014. He returns to the club with high expectations as the reigning Champions League holders look to regain domestic supremacy under Thomas Tuchel.