De Jong influenced Van Ginkel's Milan switch

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Marco van Ginkel has revealed that a conversation with Netherlands team-mate Nigel de Jong helped influence his move to Milan.

The 21-year-old followed Fernando Torres in departing Chelsea for the Serie A giants, the midfielder penning a one-year loan deal at San Siro.

Van Ginkel only moved to Stamford Bridge in July 2013 but his debut campaign was blighted by an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in a League Cup fixture with Swindon Town last September.

The Dutchman will now look to kick-start his career with Filippo Inzaghi's men and revealed how fellow Netherlands international De Jong played a part in his decision to choose Milan.

"I am very pleased [with the move], Milan is a great club where many great Dutch players have played," he told the club's official website.

"I'm happy to be here. I know Nigel de Jong from my experiences with the national team, I talked with him about Milan and he told me good things about the club.

"I have not met him here yet, but I'll see him soon."

"I'm a midfielder who defends, but I also know I can score goals," he added. "I want to be important for the team, I'm a team player.

"I want to play games and accumulate minutes. I think at AC Milan I will have the opportunity to play matches in a great competition, with many strong teams."