Scott McTominay has received the ultimate honour in his new surroundings at Napoli after an excellent start to life in Serie A.
McTominay made a surprise move away from Manchester United in the summer and signed for the Italian outfit in a £25 million transfer which already looks to be an incredibly impressive bit of business.
He's been so good, in fact, that former Napoli star Paolo Di Canio has said United's directors should be "arrested" for allowing McTominay to leave.
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The Scotland international has been an instant hit in Naples, with six goals and four assists in Serie A - where Antonio Conte's side are second to Inter by three points after 30 games.
He has scored at huge away grounds like the San Siro and Stadio Olimpico, as well as finding the net against Juventus and the Napoli fans adore him.
Early on the media in Italy started referring to him as Conte's 'Jolly' - meaning in the pack of cards he is effectively the variable with the ability to upgrade a losing hand into a winning one and then he started being called 'McTotally’ as nod to his ability to be "totally present and committed to running everywhere".
He has also been labelled the "the warrior soul of Napoli" and within just a few weeks of signing for Napoli, he was called 'Braveheart’ by his teammates.
But the 28-year-old was given the ultimate seal of approval from Napoli's passionate supporters as they erected a mural of him on a wall in the city in the same way they have done to their late hero Diego Maradona.
McTominay is learning Italian
He and other half Cam Reading have immersed themselves into the culture and he is now trying to adapt even further with Italian lessons twice a week and apps which help the learning process.
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“I’d always wanted to learn a language,” McTominay told The Athletic in an interview.
“It’s a great thing to be able to do. And it’s important that people see us embracing the culture, too. The city is amazing. It’s completely different. We have to show we care about the city, and about the culture, as well as playing well.”
McTominay and Napoli are back in action on Monday when they travel to Bologna, hoping to bounce back from a 2-1 loss to AC Milan last time out.
Topics: Manchester United, Scott Mctominay, Napoli, Serie A, Scotland
Josh Lawless