Football
Ben Gladwell, Italy correspondent 10y

Milan plan growth after move to new HQ

AC Milan vice-president Barbara Berlusconi says the Serie A club have found the perfect surroundings for growth after a "courageous operation" saw them leave their traditional home and move into new purpose-built headquarters.

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The club, based in their new Casa Milan home since November, held the official opening ceremony on Wednesday.

"We are sorry to leave [the old headquarters in] Via Turati, but we could no longer grow there," Berlusconi said in comments reported on the official Milan website. "This new headquarters will make us rethink the development strategy of this club, of this brand. It brings us closer to our fans and we've built this for them -- we could not do that at Via Turati."

Berlusconi believes investing in the new headquarters, situated in close proximity to the San Siro, will also lead to new marketing and commercial activities to generate more revenue for the club.

"And that could benefit the sporting side of things," Berlusconi continued. "That way, we will once again be able to sign big-name players. We hope that, in the future, the fans will come here to celebrate new triumphs for this club."

They may not be located so close to their stadium forever, though, with further consideration being given to moving to a new ground in the not too distant future.

"The stadium is fundamental and we're evaluating different solutions," Berlusconi said. "It could take us a huge leap forwards in terms of being able to compete with the strongest sides in Europe.

"Building our very own stadium is naturally a priority, but the system in Italy doesn't necessarily help us. However, it's become imperative that we build a new ground. We're currently focusing on where it will be built, but we're already ready to commence work. We already have the first set of plans, but we also have to take into consideration many other components independent of our own wishes."

If and when the new stadium is built, it appears the Berlusconi family will still be there to witness it.

"A lot has been said about us selling the club, but that information is incorrect," Berlusconi, whose father Silvio has been club president since 1986 said. "We believe in this side a lot and we want to be successful. We've always invested huge amounts, and we will continue to do so."

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