Newly-signed Italian defender Christian Zaccardo aims to take Hamrun Spartans to the top three of Maltese football, the 2006 World Cup winner told the Gazzetta dello Sport.

A day after signing for the Spartans, Zaccardo told the Italian newspaper that Hamrun have made him feel important.

He was signed by the Maltese club after advertising his services on the social media, saying that he still has a lot to give and, at 35, does not feel ready to hang up his boots. “I can play at top level for two more years,” he had said on Linkedin.

Hamrun contacted the former Milan, Wolfsburg, Palermo and Parma player, who had been part of the Italian team which won the World Cup in 2006, a month ago.

“I considered various options. I had offers from Cyprus, Holland and one from a Serie C club, Catanzaro. I also spoke to some clubs in Serie A and B,” Zaccardo told the Gazzetta.

But it was all talk and it was Hamrun which made him feel important. “They have a project, one of business and marketing. They brought a 2006 world champion in their ranks. And I want to help them finish in the top three to guarantee a place in the European preliminaries. Football here is backwards and I want to help them bridge the gap.”

Zaccardo said he will make his debut for Hamrun on 15 October against leaders Gzira. “Malta is beautiful; it reminds me of Sicily. The club I play for has the same colours of Milan and, thinking of this, I have chosen the number 81 (his year of birth), the same number I had with Milan.”

His family – his wife Alessia, and children Nicolo and Ginevra - have stayed in Milan, and Zaccardo plans to spend two days a week with them. “It takes less than two hours to fly home. The family has understood that I wanted to continue to play. I have carried out my physical preparation with Fano, but this opportunity seems better. I love challenges and this is one of them. I will improve my English, but (in Malta) many speak Italian,” he said.