Chapter 60: The Dust Settles

Chapter 60: The Dust Settles

Hearing Pozzo's words, Bruno thought to himself, "Just as I suspected." He then spoke, "Cristiano spoke too highly of me, and I'm flattered. Thank you, Mr. Pozzo, for your trust. I am very much looking forward to working with Udinese, but I would like to hear the coach's thoughts as well."

Bruno was particularly concerned about this because he knew very well that a player not trusted or relied upon by the coach would struggle to succeed in a new team. The Ukrainian superstar Shevchenko was a prime example of this. Abramovich loved Shevchenko and spent £50 million to bring him to Chelsea, but coach Mourinho did not favor the Ukrainian. Despite reluctantly placing Shevchenko in the starting lineup under Abramovich's pressure, it caused instability in Chelsea's performance and led to Mourinho's departure at the end of the season.

If a superstar like Shevchenko could not overcome such a hurdle, Bruno doubted he could do better. If Guidolin did not want to bring him in or if he did not fit into Guidolin's plans, moving to Udinese would undoubtedly be a waste of time. He did not want to be in conflict with anyone or waste his time, so if Guidolin could not present a satisfactory tactical plan and vision, he would not join Udinese.

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Bruno's words showed respect for the coach and conveyed to everyone that he cared more about football itself and sought a platform for better development, rather than focusing on the transfer fee or salary.

Guidolin nodded. He began to appreciate the young Portuguese player, recognizing that Bruno had a clear understanding of his position and future, which was a rare trait.

Guidolin, known as the "Little Zhuge Liang," had turned Udinese into a Serie A powerhouse upon taking over, showcasing his ability. He also acknowledged Bruno's talent and potential. "Bruno, I followed you last season and even went to Novara to watch your games. You are exactly the player Udinese needs right now, and that's the truth. Udinese has a great striker in Antonio Di Natale, but in recent seasons, we have only been Serie A disruptors, not true title contenders, because we lack a reliable midfield commander. After watching your performances at Novara last season and during the U20 World Cup, I believe you are the midfield commander I have dreamed of for years."

Guidolin paused, looked at Bruno, and in a very serious tone said, "So, we need you. Antonio's presence gives the team a great finishing touch, and you can create those chances. Your arrival at Udinese will make Antonio sharper and Udinese more aggressive. Your never-give-up attitude also perfectly aligns with Udinese's fighting spirit. Udinese is definitely the best stage for you!"

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The meeting with Pozzo and Guidolin finally prompted Bruno to make his final decision. In fact, between Udinese and Tottenham, Bruno was already leaning towards Udinese because he always harbored a dream of playing at Old Trafford as a Red Devil, a true wish of a Manchester United fan.

However, if he went to Tottenham, he would essentially sever ties with Manchester United. Ferguson's past transfers of Carrick and Berbatov from Tottenham had soured relations between the clubs, making future transfers like Modric, Bale, Eriksen, and Harry Kane from Spurs to United unlikely.

Thus, at the hotel where Pozzo and Guidolin were staying, both parties reached an agreement on the transfer.

For his personal terms, Bruno did not demand an increase. After all, his salary was already on par with Udinese's legendary captain Di Natale. If he pushed for more, it might cause discontent among other players, even if Di Natale himself had no objections.

In reality, if Udinese's salary cap had not been so low, Bruno would have considered lowering his salary to avoid standing out too much. This was a show of respect for Di Natale and a move to maintain team harmony.

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On July 22, local time, Serie A team Udinese officially announced the signing of Novara's midfield core, Bruno Fernandes, on a five-year deal. Almost simultaneously, Novara's official website confirmed Bruno's transfer, expressing gratitude for his contributions over the past year and wishing him a bright future at Udinese.

According to renowned transfer expert Di Marzio, Bruno's transfer fee was €20 million plus €5 million in add-ons, making the total potential transfer fee up to €25 million. This set a new record for both Udinese and Novara. Bruno became the first player in Udinese's history to exceed €10 million, let alone €20 million.

Bruno's personal terms included a pre-tax annual salary of €1.2 million, matching the highest salary at Udinese, held by Di Natale.

This transfer caused quite a stir in the football world. Many were surprised by Udinese's significant investment in Bruno and Bruno's decision to join Udinese. Just a year ago, Bruno was earning the Italian minimum wage of €18,000 per year. Now, he had become a star with an annual salary exceeding a million euros, making him a role model for many.

In just one year, his salary increased more than sixty-fold, a truly astounding achievement.

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After finalizing his transfer to Udinese, Bruno quickly said his goodbyes to his mother and headed to Italy. He first visited Novara to bid farewell to his teammates and paid a special visit to Mr. Ricci to thank him for his care over the past year.

Bruno then left Novara for Udine. After successfully completing his medical examination organized by Udinese, he made his debut at Udinese's home stadium, Stadio Friuli.

As the player who had shattered Udinese's transfer record, the club organized a grand unveiling ceremony for Bruno. Over 20,000 Udinese fans gathered at Stadio Friuli to welcome their new superstar. Given that Bruno's jersey number was 18, the ceremony took place at 6 p.m. on July 23.

Bruno initially preferred the number 8, but it was already taken by Dusan Basta, a versatile Serbian player who joined Udinese in 2009 and had been a key contributor to the team's success. Respecting Basta's tenure, Bruno chose the vacant number 18 instead.

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When Bruno appeared, the Udinese fans erupted in applause. The song "For Us to Win" echoed through the stadium.

Bruno stood silently on the field, listening. Thousands of fans sang, and Bruno was the sole audience member. Every year, numerous players joined new clubs, each unveiling ceremony unique, with some witnessing the grand spectacle of thousands of fans, while others showcased creative introductions.

This summer, Udinese used this grand gesture to welcome Bruno. The fans had waited too long for a significant signing like him.

Over the years, Udinese had claimed to be a Serie A powerhouse but had won no major honors. The fans were becoming restless, longing for a championship. Now, with Bruno, a super talent, joining the club, it showed the team's ambition, exciting the fans immensely.

The fans' enthusiasm deeply moved Bruno. He gave a speech, expressing his two dreams at Udinese: to win a top-tier competition for the team and to help Di Natale retire as one of Italy's greatest scorers.

Bruno's words thrilled the fans, and cheers resounded through Stadio Friuli. Bruno then showcased his skills in front of the fans, earning waves of applause once again.

(End of Chapter)

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