AN INTER Milan legend plans to visit Bangor City later this year to see how the club’s new Academy initiative is developing.

Javier Zanetti, who is one of Inter’s most decorated players, had lunch with Citizens’ owner Dominico Serafino last week to discuss the Inter Academy that was launched by the club this summer.

Bangor and the Italian giants announced their link-up last July and both sides have since been working hard to put the infrastructure in place so that youngsters in Wales can make the most of the opportunity.

Zanetti is currently a vice-president at Milan and is a figurehead for their Academy following a glittering playing career that saw him emerge as one of the greatest right-backs of a generation.

The Argentinian liked what he heard from Serafino regarding the initiative, which Zanetti is confident will be a great success.

He said: “This is a great link-up, I’d like to say a big hello to the fans of Bangor City and the players in the youth academy.

“I’m looking forward to coming over later this year to meet everyone. It is a difficult time at the moment with COVID-19, so I hope you are all well.”

There has already been a significant amount of interest in the Inter Academy at Bangor City, which gives those who sign up an opportunity to work with qualified Inter coaches, who used the club’s tried and tested methodology to develop the best players in the world.

As part of the project Inter Academy Bangor will also be arranging camps around the country with the ambition to tap into the rich talent around Wales.

Serafino used his connections within the Italian game to set up the link between the two parties, and getting Zanetti’s seal of approval was another massive confidence boost for the programme.

“Zanetti is the perfect figure for young players to look up to and everyone at the club is looking forward to him coming. The Bangor City family will give him a big reception,” he added.

“The youth system is the backbone of the club going forward and we have the system in place with the help of Inter to get the best out of the young players in Wales so that they can realise their potential.”