Omari Hutchinson says Ruben Amorim told him “you scored against me” before the forward joined Milan from Nottingham Forest, adding: “now it’s time to do that with us”.
The 22-year-old moved to San Siro at the end of the summer transfer window on a season-long loan. The deal includes an option for Milan to buy him for an additional €40m, although that option will become a mandatory obligation under certain conditions.
Hutchinson became Amorim’s fifth signing of the summer, following the arrivals of Goncalo Ramos from Paris Saint-Germain for a club-record fee, Diego Moreira from Strasbourg, Mario Gila from Lazio and Sankhoun Diawara from Troyes.
Speaking in his first interview since completing the move, Hutchinson said joining Milan was the fulfilment of a lifelong ambition.
“It’s crazy, it’s a dream,” he told the club’s media channels. “When a big club like Milan comes knocking, I think it’s crazy to not come. Especially growing up, my dad always spoke about the big legends coming from this club and to see that I’m here now is an amazing feeling.”
Hutchinson also explained how his conversation with former Manchester United head coach Amorim helped shape his decision to move to Milan.
“I had a phone call with him. The first thing he said was ‘you scored against me’. And then I just laughed on the phone and said sorry. But he said ‘no problem, now it’s time to do that with us’.
“He gave me a lot of positive feedback, he wants me in the team and I’m going to work for him and for the badge. I just can’t wait.”
The forward, who has previously played against Amorim, said he is eager to make an immediate impact for his new club.
“As a player, I’d say I like to get on the ball, I want to get to the goal as fast as possible, I try to entertain the fans. I like to get crosses in, I like to try and get goals and assists. I’m very ambitious and very hard working. Hopefully I do well here.
“All I can think about right now is scoring, backflipping and the crowds going crazy. That’s what I keep seeing in my brain, so I just want it to come true.”
Hutchinson also recalled a chance meeting with former Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo while on holiday in Spain with his family.
“Meeting Pirlo was crazy. I was in Spain with my family on holiday. We were just by the beach, I got out of the car, he was with no-one, just with his family and I don’t think anyone recognised him. I just asked him for a picture and we had a little chat about who I played for and stuff like that. That was a surreal moment.”
Pirlo is one of the many celebrated figures associated with Milan, but Hutchinson identified three attacking players as his particular role models.
“The legends, there are so many that have come through this club. For me, I liked Robinho, Ronaldinho, Kaka, the attackers. Those are the ones you idolise a lot.”
