Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko remains coy about a summer return to AC Milan, but admits he still holds the Rossoneri dear to his heart.
A move back to the San Siro has been mooted since the beginning of the year and Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has frequently said he would welcome Shevchenko back with open arms.
The 31-year-old is still a firm fans' favourite at Milan after firing them to the Serie A title and the Champions League during a glorious seven-year spell there.
And Shevchenko admitted he misses life in Italy.
'There is a lot of talk about my return,' Shevchenko said in a television interview published in Corriere dello Sport. 'But I am not authorised to say anything more than this: that my links to Milan have always been great.
'Milan gave me a lot, they helped me grow as a player and they helped me win the European Footballer of the Year award and the Champions League.
'I have great memories. Relationships with my team-mates are very important and many of them have remained.
'The president has always been very kind to me, he suggested to me to take a house in Antigua, I listened to him and I made a great investment.
'I thank him for everything he has done for me, he is very close to my heart. He helped me a lot, in many things.
'I miss my friends in Italy, the true ones, and the food, a lot.'
