[D-Kin]

Radu has Chivu ambition Tuesday 29 January, 2008

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Lazio’s new signing Stefan Radu hopes to follow in the footsteps of another Romanian who made it big in Serie A – Cristian Chivu.

“I am already settling in well, my only problem is the language,” said the 21-year-old defender who made the move from Dinamo Bucharest.

“I consider myself a committed player who works very hard. I came here to play and not to sit on the sidelines and watch.

“Chivu is my idol and I would love to follow in his footsteps,” he said of the former Roma star, now leading the standings at Inter.

Radu could well be thrown in at the deep end immediately, as Lazio are struggling with an injury crisis that has decimated their defence.

Lorenzo De Silvestri is out for a month with a thigh strain, while Fabio Firmani, Luciano Zauri and Mobido Diakhite are also sidelined.

Guglielmo Stendardo has been loaned out to Juventus, but Aleksander Kolarov is suspended for this weekend’s meeting with Sampdoria.

“The players gave me a warm welcome and I am happy to be at Lazio,” continued Radu, who has joined on loan with an option to make it permanent at the end of the season.

“This is an important club and I remember the strong side that deserved to win the Champions League preliminary round.”

Radu was in the Dinamo Bucharest squad that was eliminated from the competition by the Biancocelesti in August.

Lazio drew the first leg 1-1 before winning in Romania with a 3-1 scoreline.

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