Brazilian footballer Lucas Leiva has admitted that he is enjoying the opportunity to represent Lazio whom he joined from Liverpool at the start of the season. The 31-year-old’s career appeared to have reached a standstill with the Reds, where his chances were limited, and this urged him to make the switch to the Capital outfit.

In a report covered by Serie A’ official website, Leiva spoke fondly about his short-time with Lazio, where he has established himself as a regular at the heart of the midfield. In addition, the former Gremio graduate talked up the experience of moving to Italy, where he has got the chance to discover Rome and the club’s history.

He said: “Playing for Lazio represents a new opportunity for me. The club opened up the doors to Italy, it means living in a marvellous city like Rome, but above all playing for a club that has a lot of history. Our main strength has been teamwork, as everyone who steps on to the field gives 100 per cent and we help each other out. There’s a fantastic atmosphere in the locker room and I think that’s the secret to our success.”
Leiva had the option of remaining in the Premier League with Newcastle United earlier in the summer, but he wanted to test himself in a new league, which he has done with much success. The veteran has appeared in 24 of the club’s 26 appearances in the Serie A, and his contribution has played some part in their push for a top-four finish.
The Rome-based outfit initially looked to have been overwhelmed by the progress of the likes of AC Milan and Inter Milan, but they have got their act together over the past few months, and they are presently third in the standings. UEFA have already announced the Serie A will be assured of four Champions League spots starting from the 2018/19 season, and Lazio will hope to cling onto their position amid competition from cross-town rivals AS Roma among others.