Vieri defends decision to swap Inter for Milan

Italy striker Christian Vieri (picture) says there was nothing unusual in his decision to join Milan from city rivals Inter.

The 32-year-old surprised Italian football by signing a two-year deal with the Champions League finalists earlier this month, barely a week after he had dissolved his contract with Inter.

"There's nothing strange about my move to Milan," Vieri was quoted as saying in La Gazzetta dello Sport yesterday.

"I don't harbour a grudge. Inter wanted to change, they asked to dissolve the contract and I agreed.

"I was free, I found out about their (Milan's) offer. There were other clubs interested, but it seemed right to choose the best. I couldn't say no."

Vieri, who joined Inter in 1999 from Lazio for a then world record fee of $50 million, said he had received a warm welcome from his new team-mates.

"I'm very happy. I've arrived in a great squad and I have the good fortune to know many of my team-mates already."

According to Milan captain Paolo Maldini, the only thing that matters is what Vieri achieves in the red and black colours of his new club.

"The fact that he played for Inter does not interest us," he said.

"We don't let ourselves be conditioned by the past. We only think about winning."