Dumfries leaves Inter: thank you for everything, Denzel!

FC Internazionale Milano announces the transfer of Denzel Dumfries to Real Madrid.

The Dutch player joins the Spanish club on a permanent deal following the activation of his release clause.

Perhaps we all fell in love with Denzel Dumfries on that day at the Olimpico, when after throwing himself into a goal-saving block he launched forward, with his unstoppable pace, going on to finish the move with a diving header for his first goal in an Inter shirt. Or perhaps it was that evening in Lecce, deep into stoppage time, another poacher's finish in the box, a run of pure happiness, the kind you see children make. Yet, unlike children, Denzel always had that serious look in his eyes, which we fell in love with just the same. Or perhaps we were drawn to the way he played in the derbies, those authentic battles on the flank, old-fashioned matchups, holding nothing back. After all, the only red card of these five years came in the Derby della Madonnina itself, on the night of the Second Stella. Another night of love? That one in Saudi Arabia, a brace for the ages in the Italian Supercoppa Italiana against Atalanta. Then again, on certain nights, Denzel Justus Morris Dumfries seemed to come from another planet. Just ask anyone who was at Montjuïc, Barcelona vs. Inter, Champions League semi-final first-leg. A bicycle-kick, then a header. Before that, the assist for Thuram. Adding up the contributions across both legs of that legendary San Siro tie: two goals and three assists. Then again: in Munich, on the darkest of nights, Denzel with his medal around his neck goes to the supporters, waves the Nerazzurri faithful. And then again: his energy in Como vs. Inter, two goals for the title-winning push, sliding to his knees with arms crossed, finally that smile. The same smile from the Scudetto celebrations, kissing the badge on the pitch and taking charge on the bus.

Five years of simply beautiful things: the love and affection from the fans was always repaid with determination and grit on the pitch. There were plenty of goals and assists: 207 matches, 27 goals, 28 assists, 8 trophies. There is a moment for everything in football. For finding yourself, when you arrive for the first time on a new planet. 2021, the arrival from PSV: a few weeks to get his bearings, then it was time to show that he was the flying Dutchman. Bursts of pace down the right flank, a permanent presence in the box: crosses and balls from the left hooked and fired into goal, with his feet or head. A force of nature. Last season brought his personal goal record, 11, and also the emotion of wearing the Inter captain's armband, against Feyenoord of all teams, being from Rotterdam, having learnt his trade at Sparta.

The moment of farewell arrives after a triumphant season, that of the Double. Heavily marked by that brace at Como, and much more. His return to the pitch, after months out through injury, coincided with the final sprint. And then, with the great celebrations, in which Denzel was always at the centre of: a driving force and a larger-than-life character, with that Interismo that has always run through him, from the very first moment in Milano.

For Denzel, San Siro and Milano will always be home. The place where that infectious DEN-ZEL DUM-FRIES chant will always ring out, no matter what. You can almost hear it just by reading it.

Best of luck, Denzel: it has been wonderful winning together!