I want to win titles with Sampdoria - Eto'o

Samuel Eto'o was unveiled as a Sampdoria player on Thursday with the Serie A club's extravagant president Massimo Ferrero saying he does not need any introduction.

The Cameroon striker has put pen-to-paper on a three-and-a-half-year deal with Samp and is in line to make his debut this Sunday at Torino.


"A man who says that Champions League finals are to be won, not just played, does not need any presentation," said Ferrero inside Genoa's aquarium, the setting for Thursday's news conference. "We deserve to be respected. We get underrated by the big clubs, but we are there."


Sampdoria are currently two points behind third-placed Napoli in a race for a place in the Champions League. Few would have expected them to be in Europe next season, but is becoming an increasingly realistic ambition now that Eto'o is on board.


"Sampdoria were not made for third place, but we're in the running and we'll do all we can, to get there," said Eto'o. "I've come here with the desire to win. That's what I want, and that's what we can do. That is also what I am here for.

"Dreaming is permitted. I come from one of the poorest countries in the world, and Cameroon is also one of the most beautiful countries in the world. I've worked hard and dreamed, and that helped me become one of the best players in the world. The president has every right to dream, and to realise those dreams. "I want to dream together with him, and hopefully we will go the furthest possible."


A lot has changed in Italian football since he left off the back of his treble-winning season with Inter Milan, but Eto'o is proud to buck the trend of star names leaving Serie A.


"Many players move on, but football stays the same," he said. "I hope that we can win with Sampdoria and nobody talks anymore about a crisis. There were Kaka and Ibra leaving the league, but we still won everything with Inter."


Eto'o also expressed his gratitude to former club Everton for not standing in his way when the Blucerchiati came calling. "I'd like to thank everybody at Everton, but Italy is my second home. I'm delighted to be here," said the 33-year-old