Jens Petter Hauge, the Norwegian talent, impressed AC Milan at San Siro so much, under the eyes of Maldini, Massara and chief of scouts Geoffrey Moncada, that the club decided to close a deal to bring him to Milanello. The player since then, managed to make appearances and was even able to score a couple of goals.
The player gave an interview to Kicker.de as he talks about his move to Milan and much more. Here are his words:
On the video of him studying Italian while in the plane after finishing a match and going back to Italy:
"There wasn't much time between the game in the evening and training in the morning. So it was a good time."
On rejecting an offer from Cercle Bruges:
"Bodö and Bruges had agreed on a sum and the club was happy. But I refused because we saw that there were still many options."
On his beginnings at his small hometown:
"Back then I wasn't thinking about scouts or a professional career at all, I just enjoyed spending time with my friends on the football field."
On what happened after the match against Milan at the San Siro:
"After the game, everything went very quickly. I didn't have to think twice about it. If a club like Milan makes you an offer, you have to take it. I really wanted to give something back to the club that gave me this chance in the first place. Back when I was still very young, they believed in me and gave me a chance. That's why I'm just happy that Bodö got so much money from my sale."
On his appearance for the national team of Norway:
"It was almost a bit strange, because I had to leave before I could even settle in. And after the international matches, the program was full again in Italy with Serie A and Europa League."
On his place at the squad:
"I knew it might take some time before I play regularly."
On Ibrahimovic helping him:
"Even in training he has very high demands. It is great to have the chance to learn from him every day. He speaks to me a lot and gives me tips. How he plays, how we play and how I can play, how I work with the ball and without it."
On playing in a young squad:
"That is one of the reasons why I actually chose to sign with AC Milan. Because there are a lot of guys like me here who are still at the very beginning of their careers and who want to get better every day. The football that we play here fits me perfectly. It is fast, offensive and dominant."
On Haaland, Odegaard, and Berge:
"There are many young Norwegian players that are performing at the highest level right now. The fans and the media are very excited about this new generation."
On his friendship with Haaland:
"I've played with him in many national U-teams and also now in the senior team. I try to learn from him because he's so talented but still so humble. How hard he works every day is exemplary. I try to be like him. he inspires me. And most of all he is a role model for so many young players in Norway."
Hauge fondly remembers how the "hype" began in Norway exactly six years ago when 16-year-old Odegaard moved to Real Madrid:
"It was crazy when he started in Norway. He made his first international game when he was 15 and was already the best player in the league."
On the Scudetto race:
"That is a good question. We'll talk again after the next 10 or 15 games. I think it is possible."
