Erick Thohir: "Historic day for Inter"

MILAN – Inter president Erick Thohir said it was a historic day for the club as he gave a speech at the press conference held after the Shareholders’ Meeting on Tuesday.

Below is the speech in full.

"Good afternoon and thank you for your attendance on this momentous day for Inter.

"As you know just three weeks ago we were in Nanjing, as guests of Suning Holdings Group and Chairman Zhang, announcing to the Chinese and global media the intention of Sunning to purchase a majority stake in Inter.

"Today I am pleased and proud to announce to you that the shareholders of F.C. Internazionale Milano have approved this. As of today Suning Holdings Group now owns 68.55% of the club. 

"I am honoured to say that Mr Zhang has asked me, and I have confirmed, that I will remain as Inter President, holding a 31% stake while the small shareholders will continue their historical involvement in the club with a 0.45% stake.

"This is the start of what I am sure will be a very successful relationship between Suning and Inter.

"Suning’s plans for Inter in the area of sports and business are serious and shortly Chairman Zhang will explain his vision for the club. 

"Inter is one of the great names in football, one with a fantastic global brand. We are very proud and honoured that Suning has decided to invest in and to grow our club. 

"The Inter brand carries with it 108 years of proud football history and heritage. We are known as “Brothers of the World”. This new investment, the first time a Chinese company owns a majority share in a European club, is testimony to our founding ethos. We are truly international. We reach across borders. We embrace players from all countries from the four corners of the globe.

"The world is becoming increasingly global and football is the world’s most favourite game. If we are to compete at the highest level on the pitch, we need investment off it. I believe the arrival of Suning will give us this.

"I am grateful to Chairman Zhang and to Suning for his faith in the club, in me, in our CEO Michael Bolingbroke and in the management team, who will all stay on under the new Board. Together, working as one team, we will take this great Club forward and return it once again to the heights of European football.

"Together with Suning, and their team in China, Jiangsu Suning FC, we will help develop football in China. I am truly excited by our future together.

"Inter was the first Serie A team to visit China way back in 1978. The growth of football and the push by the Chinese government to strengthen football in China, makes this the perfect time for Inter and Suning to join forces.

"We have more than 180 million fans across the Asia Pacific Region. With Suning’s expertise, and their distribution channels across China and beyond, we will finally reach our huge Asian fan base. They too will now be able to touch the Inter brand.

"As we know, the world of sports has continued to evolve in recent years. We are now in an age of true globalization for sports and entertainment. 

"To be able to compete, both on and off the pitch, a famous and prestigious club such as Inter needs the support of a global player like Suning in order to reach its objectives. 

"This is necessary to continue building the off-field activities and to provide the necessary means to invest in infrastructure, youth development and, of course, the team on the field in order to win trophies.

"That is why I am so excited by Suning’s entry into our club. 

"Since I became President of this great Club back in November 2013, there has been one man who has supported me, and whose family is linked with the greatest moments in the history of this club. 

"I speak of course about Massimo Moratti and the Moratti family. Under his father Angelo, the club known as “La Grande Inter” lifted two European Cups back to back in 1964 and 1965.

"Under Massimo, the Club again reached the highest levels in 2010, winning the Triplete by lifting the Champions League trophy, the Scudetto and the Coppa Italia.

"Thank you Mr Moratti to you and your family. 

"Not only for the great part you have played in Inter’s history, but also for the openness you have showed me since I became President. I know that under the new ownership the work and love that your family has put into this club will continue. And of course your family will be ever-present through your daughter Carlotta, and the good work done in the field by Inter Campus, supported most honourably by your family.

"Finally, I want to send a message to all Inter fans, especially those here in Italy.

"Thank you for your support and your trust in me, 

"Thank you for your continued support of the team. Without you, the real fans, a football club is nothing. You are the heart and soul of the club. I am sure that together with Suning’s support we will build a strong, proud and most of all winning Inter.

"Thank you all and FORZA INTER!"