Steven Zhang appointed new president of Inter Milan

At the annual meeting of FC Internazionale Milano S.p.A. shareholders, Steven Zhang, 27, was named president of the club.

"Today, I am extremely proud to lead this club into a new era," Zhang said before the announcement. "I feel the responsibility to satisfy the passion of millions of fans around the world and, I am more than ready to accept the challenge of the president in this 110^th year of this prestigious club. "

This new role complements the functions of President of Suning International, the international division of Suning Holdings Group, the majority shareholder of Inter Milan.

In addition, the club announced Friday a 9% increase in its turnover, to 347 million euros compared to 2017 – a 45% increase in its turnover recorded in 2016. This increase was achieved without the Nerazzurri play European football.

The board also approved a new club organization, with Javier Zanetti retaining the role of vice president, but former majority owner Erick Thohir having been completely excluded from the board. It has been reported that Thohir is seeking to sell the remaining shares of Inter Milan and that Suning would be the likely buyer of these shares.

Photo of Valerio Pennicino / Getty Images

Piero Ausillo remains director of sports and Alessandro Antonello is the general manager of the company. Interestingly, the new chart did not mention Juventus' former CEO Giuseppe Marotta and his potential position on the team. However, if Marotta were to be added to Inter Milan, that would probably not happen until January 2019.

"We will continue to make sports performance the number one priority of our attention and to ensure that the team has the best support to compete and succeed at the highest levels of international and national gaming," said Zhang. . "Off the field, we will make Inter as strong as in the field. We need to develop strong business and marketing skills and further strengthen the management team.

"At the same time, we will continue to expand the reach of our business globally. And we will continue to explore the possibilities of digital management and digital communications to make Inter a leader in the field of technology. "

Zhang, a member of the UEFA Club Competitions Committee, earned a BA in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining Suning Group, Zhang was an analyst at Morgan Stanley in the company's Investment Banking and Capital Markets division.

He now assumes control of a club that has recorded the highest number of spectators in Serie A last season and who has qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in six years.

In addition, we must remember that Inter is not limited to football and what happens on the pitch. We will continue to defend the values ​​of fair competition, fair play and sportsmanship, "said Zhang. "Together with our stakeholders, we will spread positive energy and messages to all our fans and to society as a whole.

"I believe that with your help, I am now ready to take the next steps. Together, we can move this club forward in a new era of success. "

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