Monday, 8th July, 2013
By his own admission Ricardo Carvalho is stepping into the unknown, as the former Chelsea and Real Madrid defender pledged to give his all to the ambitious project under way at Monaco.
Carvalho penned a one-year deal with the Ligue 2 champions, with the added option of a year should Monaco need his services further.
The Portuguese was out of contract at Real Madrid, and Monaco wasted little time in snapping him up, with Nicolas Isimat-Mirin presented alongside him today, having been signed from Valenciennes.
Carvalho is an experienced campaigner, his career has taken him from FC Porto to Chelsea under Jose Mourinho, to Real Madrid in playing stint that has lasted 16 years so far.
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But even he admits he was excited at the prospect of a new challenge in Monaco, telling a press conference today: "I had other offers, but Monaco had one of the best.
"I have played in the Portuguese league, in England and in Spain, and I wanted to discover the championship of France."
Both Carvalho and Isimat-Mirin are now raring to build on Monaco’s plans for next season, even if the club are starting the Ligue 1 campaign two behind after an LFP disciplinary hearing.
Part of Monaco’s summer plans was the acquisition of several high-profile players, including Radamel Falcao from Atletico Madrid.
Carvalho said: "I feel good, I will fight to earn my place in the team. I know Falcao, and he is a very dangerous striker in the area. He adds very real value to our club.
"The important thing is that we all believe in this project. We must continue growing."
To which Isimat-Mirin added: "The competition will be strong, but I feel equipped to give an answer as I’m a competitor."
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