Emanuele Giaccherini: 'Leaving Juventus was tough'

Sunderland midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini has admitted that it was tough for him to leave Juventus over the summer.

The Italian international joined the Black Cats in July for a reported fee of around £8.5m.

However, the 28-year-old insists that he is already enjoying life in the Premier League.

"Leaving Juventus was a very difficult decision to make," Giaccherini is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News. "It was hard because I left many friends, teammates and a coach in Antonio Conte who made a difference to my career.

"I'm happy with the choice I made though even if I had to give up a top club like Juve."

Giaccherini is currently with the Italy squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Bulgaria and the Czech Republic.