Turkey international Umit Davala rejoined former Galatasaray coach Fatih Terim at AC Milan on Thursday and admitted after completing his Ł3 million transfer that convincing his old friend that he deserves a first-team place will not be easy.
"We worked together for four years in Istanbul, but that doesn't mean I expect any favours," he said. "I will work as hard as the other players to fight for a place in the starting line-up."
And Umit, who has signed a four-year contract at Milan, will have his work cut out.
The Turkey midfielder arrives at the San Siro with the Rossoneri on a high following Sunday's 5-2 demolition of Fiorentina, and the return of Demetrio Albertini after a lengthy spell out injured.
Albertini marked his comeback with a commanding display as the Milan midfield, prompted by the tireless running of Brazilian Serginho, cut through the Viola.
And with Fernando Redondo also on his way back from injury, coupled with competition from Massimo Ambrosini, Gennaro Gattuso and Thomas Helveg, the battle for a place in the Milan midfield will be intense. But Umit is ready for it.
"I played for 90 minutes [in Galatasaray's 1-0 Champions' League win over Lazio] on Tuesday, and if Terim needs me I'll play in Udine on Sunday," he said.
Umit's greatest advantage, alongside his prodigious work-rate, will be his versatility. Galatasaray coach Mircea Lucescu used him mainly on the right of midfield but he can slot in anywhere across the middle of the park.
His height makes him useful in the air, and his forceful tackling mean that he can function more than adequately as a defender when the need arises.
On a couple of occasions when he had an injury crisis on his hands, Terim even used him as an emergency striker.
"I played in almost every position at Galatasaray, but not as a keeper," Umit said. "I feel most at ease when playing in the centre of midfield, but I've also played in defence and up front. A modern player must be able to play in all positions."
Umit began his career at Waldhof Mannheim – he holds dual Turkish-German nationality – then moved to Turkey where he had spells at Afyonspor, Istanbulspor, Diyarbakirspor and Genclerbirligi, before signing for Galatasaray in 1995.
Six years, 18 Turkey caps and a move to Milan later, Umit is still pinching himself. "I have always aimed at playing in Italy one day," he said "Being here at Milan is more than a dream come true.
"Lucescu told me that I would play for the most important club in Italy," he added. "I leave Turkey with my team in first place and I hope to be in the same position in Italy as soon as possible."
Umit is not unknown to Milan. He scored the last minute penalty that knocked the San Siro club out of the Uefa Cup[hehe :)))))] in 1999 during Galatasaray's incredible run to the final.
"I was proud to have scored," he said. "In all I've played Italian teams eleven times including Milan, Juve, Bologna and Lazio."
Umit should have little trouble settling in Milan. He learned Italian as a hobby in Istanbul, using it with Galatasaray team-mates Claudio Taffarel, Gheorge Hagi and Gheorge Popescu, and if he prefers to converse in Turkish then former Galatasaray team-mates Emre and Okan – now at Internazionale – are not far away.
The numbers certainly seem to have fallen Umit's way. "I've worn the number 22 for five years, but here that belongs to Cosmin Contra. So I have chose number 34 which represents Istanbul on the number plates in Turkey."