By Ian Gordon
Alberto Paloschi wants to become Swansea’s answer to Filippo Inzaghi after thanking his boyhood idol for saving his career.
The Italian made his debut for Serie A giants AC Milan aged just 18 – scoring after 17 seconds – in a team that included his hero.
Paloschi’s chances of succeeding Inzaghi as Milan’s No 1 strike ace were soon dashed as he moved on to Parma and saw his career threatened by a series of injuries.
But after finally getting sorted out when referred to a doctor by the ex-Italy international, Paloschi is now determined to enjoy cult status in South Wales.
The £8million buy, 26, said: “When I was a child Filippo was my hero, my idol.
“He was a forward and I wanted to be a forward. He was the benchmark I was aiming for. I wanted to be like him, to do what he did and to try and be the new Inzaghi
“Now I would like to be the Inzaghi of Swansea, I hope so.
“He was and still is a great friend to me. When he got to know I was coming to Swansea he sent me a good luck message to wish me the best here.
“He was a big influence on my career. He sent me to a doctor who helped to put me back on the right road to get me fit.
“I had injury problems and I was always in and out, in and out. I was not fully fit for long spells.
“It was like that for 18 months and it went through my mind that it might end my career, but he helped me.”
Paloschi – who grew-up with a poster of Inzaghi on his bedroom wall – made his debut for a star-studded Milan outfit in February 2008.
He bagged the winner against Siena with his first kick – with his reward buying his team-mates pizza that night.
But the arrival that summer of Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho meant his first-team chances would be limited and he moved to Parma, working with Swans boss Francesco Guidolin.
He added: “For an 18-year-old to go onto the pitch and score like that for Milan, it was a dream.
“But the expectations after that were not difficult for me. I was aware of what was happening around me and I felt I reacted well to it.
“At the end of the season, they sent me to Parma. It was actually good for me to leave Milan as it gave me the opportunity to grow as a player and also as a man.”
Paloschi bagged 12 goals to help Parma regain their top-flight status then had a spells at Genoa and Chievo before being signed by Guidolin last month.
The Chiari-born striker netted his first goal for the Swans in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat by Tottenham, showing a clinical finish to give his side the lead.
And he hopes there will be many more to come, not just this season as the Swans fight for Premier League survival but in years to come.
The Swans certainly needed someone to regularly find the net in the way that Michu and Wilfried Bony did in previous seasons.
He added: “I always admired the Premier League, watching it in Italy.
“I was always impressed with the full stadiums and the atmosphere gives me goosebumps. That is why I wanted to come over.
“I am aware of what Swansea paid for me and I will do everything I can to pay it back. That is my responsibility to do that and help the club avoid relegation.
“I was aware of Bony and Michu and I watched what they did at Swansea.
“I know they have moved on and I am my own player with my own characteristics and style. I admire them for what they did here but I have to be my own man.
“But I hope to do as well here and repay back the money with many goals.
“I want to be a hero here like they were.”