New Napoli signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has revealed what motivated him to join the Partenopei after much speculation regarding the 21-year-old’s future, as several other giants including Milan, Tottenham Hotspur, Juventus and English outfit Leeds United were all hot in the transfer race.
In an exclusive interview with a Georgian journalist, the young winger was quizzed about his decision, reacting to which he disclosed what drew him towards Naples.
It was a moment in the 2013/14 UEFA Champions League that persuaded Kvaratskhelia to choose Napoli. The southerners were pit against Borussia Dortmund on the inaugural group matchday at the Stadio San Paolo, and Gonzalo Higuain opened Napoli’s account with a header in the 29th minute.
The Argentine’s name was broadcast in the cauldron of a stadium by none other than stadium announcer Daniele Bellini, more affectionately referred to as Decibel by Neapolitans.
55,000 Napoli fans erupted to chant ‘Higuain’ following Bellini shouting ‘Gonzalo’ exactly nine times to mark the striker’s jersey number. Incidentally, it was also the former Real Madrid marksman’s ninth goal in the continental competition and his first for Napoli.
Kvaratskhelia is touted to make his Serie A debut on August 15th, when Napoli travel to Veneto to take on Hellas Verona at the Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi.
? Napoli will start the 2022/23 season at the Dimaro-Folgarida training camp in Val di Sole. The squad will arrive there on 8 July before taking part in their first training session the following day, and will remain there until 19 July. pic.twitter.com/V5ecGYnbXW
— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) April 12, 2022