Tomori speaks fluent Italian in interview, 13 months after AC Milan move from Chelsea

After initially joining the Serie A club on loan last January, the 24-year-old made a permanent move to Italy in the summer, and it's safe to say the England international has adapted to the culture like a duck to water.

Tomori was born in Canada to Nigerian parents, but moved to England before his first birthday and spent his childhood in Kent.

He joined Chelsea's academy at Under-8s level and was sent out on loan to Brighton, Hull City and Derby County before making his first-team breakthrough with the Blues under Frank Lampard in the 2019/20 season.

His Chelsea career dwindled following Lampard's exit as boss, though, which led to him joining AC Milan on a temporary basis last season, with Serie A then triggering an option to buy him.

The Rossoneri centre-back gave an interview following his side's 1-0 victory over Napoli, and it's clear the England man has embraced his new life in Italy, both on and off the pitch.

Speaking confidently and with excellent pronunciation, the defender said in Italian: "[Victor] Osimhen is a really strong striker and fast too. Napoli are a strong side. Today Pierre [Kalulu] and myself, the whole defence and the whole team, we played a great game.

"We're happy but we still have ten games to go. We have to play like we played today and raise the bar too."

The video was met with a huge reaction online, with thousands of likes and a host of fans praising the defender for his commitment to learning the language.

Tomori gave a humble response on Twitter following the kudos he received for publicly putting his Italian lessons into action, saying: "Not perfect yet.. But I'm trying", before translating it into Italian underneath.

The AC Milan No. 23's post-match efforts were showered in applause by big names across social media, too, including former Chelsea captain Terry.

"Love this mate," the ex-Blues skipper said, coupled with a clapping emoji and an Italian flag.

Former Premier League midfielder David Meyler joined the praise for the England international, saying: "Naaaa so impressive that pal".

Tomori also earned comparisons to Paul Ince and David Platt who both learned Italian during their spells in Serie A during their playing careers.

Ince spent two seasons at Inter Milan between his spells for rivals Manchester United and Liverpool, while Platt spent three seasons in Italy with Juventus and Sampdoria, later returning to manage the Genoa-based club.

Fans also took to Twitter to express how much the interview impressed them.

"Love this," read one of the comments on Twitter. "Really love it. Fantastic to see young players going abroad and doing everything to fit in and maximise the experience."

It's not just Tomori's ability to speak Italian that's blossomed since his move to the continent, either.

His defensive displays for the Serie A side have gone from strength to strength, too, having lost just five games since he signed for the club on permanent basis in the summer.

Tomori featured in England's World Cup Qualifiers back in October, coming on as a substitute against Andorra, and the centre-back will be hoping his rise in form over in Italy will persuade Gareth Southgate to take him to the upcoming World Cup finals in Qatar.