Pjaca ready to shine at Juve

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Football Soccer - Croatia v Spain - EURO 2016 - Group D - Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France - 21/6/16 Croatia's Marko Pjaca in action with Spain's Nolito REUTERS/Regis Duvignau Livepic - RTX2HGOZ

New Juventus signing Marko Pjaca has revealed he is honoured and privileged by his recent move to the Italian giants.

The 21-year-old Croatia international has become the most expensive player in Croatian transfer history, a record he has taken from Real Madrid star Luka Modric following his switch from Dinamo Zagreb.

The deal, worth €23-million, was concluded in July, but Pjaca is insistent he does not feel the weight of expectation.

‘No, I don’t feel the pressure for being the most expensive transfer in Croatian league history, I just feel big honour and privilege,’ the player told Goal.

‘I am at Juventus, who pay out far more for other players than they paid for me, so I don’t feel any pressure because of the money they spent to get me.’

The wing will have to compete with the likes of Mario Mandzukic and Gonzalo Higuain for the attacking slots as his new club, but Pjaca is not daunted by the prospect.

‘Mandzo and me and every other player want to play as much as possible and at the end of the season, we’ll see who was the best. But I believe I will prove myself,’ he said.

Pjaca is already familiar with Mandzukic from their expeditions with the national team.

‘I have started to learn Italian but of course it will be a big help to have Mandzukic and [Miralem] Pjanic nearby, guys who speak my language.

Mandzo had already offered his help with anything, and I haven’t had the chance to meet Pjanic yet,’ the wing concluded.

Photo: Reuters