The 23-year-old feels he's now fully matured to play in the top-flight with Fiorentina and has vowed to seize a starting berth in coach Paulo Sousa's side.
Salifu Amidu became an instant hit at his former Serie B side,Vicenza and was spotted by Fiorentina during the 2010/2011 season. His promising rise as a budding player left the Italian giants with no other option than to priced him away from his parent club,the Biancorossi's.
The 23-year-old was straight away shipped into the first team side of Fiorentina as a teenager, and his electric displays with the senior rank squad earned him some game times by featuring in 15 games during the 2011-2012 league season.
The former U-20 star revealed to Kickgh.com how elated he became when he signed for Fiorentina as an 18-year-old.
"I became very,very happy when I signed for one of the top clubs in Italy, which is Fiorentina. Fiorentina is a big club in Italy and have won the championship before, so joining such a club was indeed an exciting moment for me as a teenager. I played about 15 games for the senior side in that same year i signed and our coaches were really impressed about my performance as well. I've to be relegated back to the Junior side the following season because of my lack of experience in the top-flight. I then proceeded on loan to Catania as they expressed keen interest to have me in the following season. So,i'll say joining Fiorentina was really one of the best moment in my career as an upcoming youngster," Salifu narrated to Kickgh.com in an exclusive interview in Ghana during his summer holidays.
The ex-Brescia man had his contract expired in the just ended season with the Viola's and due to his splendid performances during his loan spells, Fiorentina had no plans to let him go and has therefore convinced him to put pen to paper for another two more seasons. Salifu confirmed to Kickgh.com that, he has indeed penned another contract extention with the Stadio Artemio Franchi outfit and will be joining them for preseason soon.
"Yes, i can confirm to you that, I've extended my contract with Fiorentina and it's two years. My agent has completed his part and it has left with me to also complete my part when i go back to Italy. I'm preparing to leave in the coming days as I'll be joining them in this year's preseason. Hopefully, i'll be at Fiorentina and that was the reason why i extended my stay with them for another two more seasons. At the initial stage of the negotiation, i had a change of mind not to continue with them but since it didn't happened, i'm just keeping focus and see what will happen from here as i'm fully concentrating on having a fine season," the dazzling wizard revealed to Kickgh.com exclusively.
However, the midfield enforcer admitted that, his continuous loan moving to different clubs was something he never admired as he always struggles to adapt to the system of play in terms of formation with any club he joins. Salifu said, he's now fully matured to test himself in the elite division with Fiorentina and he's ready to seize a permanent place in coach Paulo Sousa's side ahead of the new season.
" Frankly speaking, going out on loan to play with different clubs sometimes hinders your progress and performance as it makes things tough along the way. In fact, it's something i'll say i never adored. The reason is that, you always found yourself wanting as you try hard to quickly adapt into the playing system of every club you join.This thing doesn't take a day to do that, but weeks in doing so.
"Although,i can't say the loan stints haven't benefitted me as i've gained a whole lot of experience in my four years loan playing career. But then, the challenges are hard as it sometimes affects your concentration," he lamented.
Salifu continued: "But now that i'll be having preseason with my club, i'll do all whatever i can to see myself in the starting line - up whenever the coach makes his team selection. I think i'm now matured to play in the top-flight and i'm looking forward to this challenge too. I'll prove myself beyond any doubt on my capabilities as an upcoming player and i'm sure of excelling in my second top-flight season with Fiorentina."
The former Modena midfielder says should he be asked again to proceed on another loan move;he won't resist the idea, adding his main aim is to keep focus and continue with his playing career.
"No, it'll not be a worry to me when my club decides to loan me to any other club, be it Serie A or Serie B. All that i know is that, playing football is my passion as well as my profession. I'll just prefer a club that will guarantee me much playing time and will also ensure that things will move on well in a condusive manner for me to be able to continue harnessing my talent on the field of play. Aside this,i don't expect anything again from any club that will come for my services. Again, I'll not be discouraged when i'm asked to leave for another loan stint this season." the 23-year-old emphasized."
Prior to his tranfer move to Fiorentina, many elite clubs across the globe of Europe were all involved in a bidding war for his signature after he grabbed headlines in the Italian media.
