New AC Milan signing Taye Taiwo: I hope to fill the boots of Paolo Maldini

Taye Taiwo – Marseille (Getty Images)

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Defender Taye Taiwo is confident that he will prove himself to be an asset for AC Milan at left-back.

The Nigeria international signed a three-year contract with the Italian champions on Wednesday after passing a medical, and will join them in the summer as a free agent after his current deal with French giants Marseille runs out.

Taiwo will be deployed in the left-back position next season, an area in which Milan have struggled since legendary Italian defender Paolo Maldini retirment in 2009.

“This is a very, very big club and I am proud to be coming here,” said Taiwo, according to Sky Sports. “When you visit the club you understand its culture and everything that comes with being a Milan player.

“Now everything is done I can relax and go on holiday. I will then return knowing that I have the chance to prove myself in the same position held by the greatest left-back football has ever seen, Paolo Maldini.”

Taiwo has spent six years with Marseille and will officially become a Milan player on July 1.

The defender is currently serving a ban after singing an expletive-laced chant about Paris Saint-Germain after his side’s Coupe de la Ligue win against Montpellier last month.