Piccini: "I’m thrilled to be back, fully committed and really looking forward to helping the team"

After the announcement of his return from a loan spell at Atalanta BC, Cristiano Piccini was back in Valencia this Saturday and keen to get back amongst the squad.

"I’m really happy because I’ve been wanting to come back for a while. It’s my home after all. I’m really happy to have come back because many times when you leave a place, you know what you are losing -but you don’t know what you are going to find next," he told VCF Media upon his arrival.

"I have this experience, I’ve learned that if you are happy at a place, it’s better to stay where you are. Obviously, as you may know, I’ve had a serious injury and I’ve not played for a long while."

Whilst Piccini was not a regular starter for Atalanta BC, he believes that he can draw good things from his time back in Italy.

"The positives I’m taking from my experience at Atalanta is that I’m fit again, I feel perfectly fine and I’m raring to play again, which in the end is what makes me happiest. I have not played consistently for a long time and I’m thrilled, fully committed and really looking forward to helping the team."

Piccini is highly regarded amongst his teammates, and he explained that they were keen to have him back amongst them for the second half of the season.

"I’ve spoken with the captains and they’ve contributed to my return. They’re wonderful players and great people, who are doing a great job bonding the team and transmitting what Valencia CF means to the younger players. As I’ve said before, I’m here to help out both on and off the pitch, because I’ve been part of a Copa del Rey winning Valencia CF side, in front of full stands, and those who have just come through and are now playing maybe haven’t been through that."

"It’s important to understand that from those who have been in that situation, as it’s not possible right now. We must try to talk them through that. I’ve watched the games and I think there’s enough quality within the squad to have better results.

"What I’ve always said is that when a team are united and working well, eventually the results go your way."