Inter Milan signs France striker, Thuram

Inter Milan announced the signing of Marcus Thuram, the French national team forward, on a free transfer last Saturday.

The 25-year-old, who is the son of 1998 World Cup winner Lilian Thuram, agreed to a five-year contract with the Champions League runners-up from the previous season.

The deal is reportedly valued at 6.5 million euros ($7.1 million) per season. Thuram joined Inter after a highly productive season with Borussia Moenchengladbach in the Bundesliga, during which he scored 13 goals. He became a free agent at the conclusion of that campaign.

“Marcus Thuram signs for Inter,” read a statement on the club’s website.

“The forward, who was born in 1997, joins the Nerazzurri following four seasons with Borussia Moenchengladbach.”

Thuram has decided to represent his birth country and will join Lautaro Martinez up front for Inter Milan, instead of choosing Paris Saint-Germain.

He will take the place of veteran Edin Dzeko, who recently signed with Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahce.

He was born in Parma where his father played for five seasons, winning the UEFA Cup and Italian Cup in 1999 as part of a star-studded outfit which also featured Italian icons Gianluigi Buffon and Fabio Cannavaro.

Buffon and Cannavaro got the better of Thuram senior at the 2006 World Cup, beating France in the final on penalties.

Thuram senior had wanted his son to take up either fencing or judo but he defied his father.

In the intense World Cup final held last December, Marcus Thuram experienced the disappointment of defeat against Argentina, led by Martinez.

Despite trailing 2-0 at halftime, Thuram’s remarkable performance, earning 10 international caps, included assisting the equalizing goal that led to a thrilling 3-3 draw. France eventually lost in a penalty shootout.

Moving forward, Thuram might face competition from Romelu Lukaku for a starting position in Inter Milan’s lineup.

Lukaku, the Belgian striker who was on loan from Chelsea, is currently engaged in discussions to potentially extend his stay in Milan.