Dzemaili leaves with no regrets

9:10am Friday 5th September 2008

BLERIM Dzemaili has no regrets about moving to the Premier League – even though he never got a chance to play in it.

The Swiss international midfielder, who joined Torino on a season-long loan this week, clocked up only 45 minutes of football in a Wanderers shirt, coming on for Nicky Hunt in last season’s FA Cup third round defeat to Sheffield United.

He started his tenure at the Reebok sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury after signing from FC Zurich, and never regained the kind of form which put him in serious contention for a first team place.

But despite his nightmare stint in England, the 22-year-old insists he would not change a thing.

“A few years ago it was my dream to play in the Premier League and Bolton showed they really wanted to bring me there.

“Now Torino have done everything to get me and it’s a great chance, so I accepted with enthusiasm.

“I don’t think I wasted time in England, as I got to learn a new language and face off against a very different style of play than I was accustomed to.”

Eyed by mighty Juventus before Sam Allardyce snapped him up on a pre-contract deal last January, Dzemaili hopes to kick-start his career in Serie A with their Turin rivals.

“The football in Italy is extremely competitive and the lifestyle is wonderful, too. It’s a new adventure and I can’t wait to experience it.”