Acerbi proud to play with Thiago Silva

By ESPNSTAR.com staff

Formerly co-owned by Chievo and Genoa, Acerbi's good performances for the former last season convinced AC Milan scouts that he was ready for a bigger stage. Making the move to the San Siro recently, the defender picked out Silva as the player he is most looking forward to lining up alongside with.

"Thiago Silva is probably the best defender in the world at the moment but all the players here at Milan are excellent because you have to be excellent to play for Milan," Acerbi said to the club's official website.

"It will be a great privilege to play alongside Thiago Silva. Hopefully I will learn quickly from him."

Only 23 years of age, Acerbi has many more years on the field ahead of him, and the Italian plans to spend most of it in a Rossoneri jersey.

"I would like to be here for 10 years, not just a single year, so I need to do well. Since I arrived I'm trying to learn better and faster and do what the coach and my team-mates say because I want to get into the mentality of this team quickly," Acerbi said.

"For me now what matters is to be here and do well. I hope to stay here for as many years as Gattuso."