Josh Doig lifts lid on 'mental' Sassuolo transfer after Marseille move collapse

It's where Luciano Pavarotti first tickled his tonsils. Where Ferrari’s first ever engine was revved up. And now it’s the new Italian home of Josh Doig.

He hasn’t been in Modena long but the Scot likes the vibe. After agreeing a £4.5million move to Sassuolo – the training ground is less than half an hour’s drive away – he’s settling into his new surroundings.

When MailSport met the 21-year-old, he was house-hunting with girlfriend Molly. The city is also famous for its culinary delights. A few nights before, Doig ate at the famous Ristorante Montana where cook Mamma Rosella prepared his meal. For decades Ferrari’s F1 drivers ate there and in its heyday Montana was one of the favourite restaurants of German Grand Prix legend Michael Schumacher.

Doig hasn’t yet been tempted to buy a new set of wheels with his signing-on fee. And such is the former Hibs’ kid’s humility, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see him driving a flash car. Instead, Doig is still pinching himself. Four years ago this week he was on loan at Queen’s Park playing against Cowdenbeath in Scottish League Two.

Now he’s taking on the likes of AC Milan, Inter, Roma and Lazio at the San Siro and Stadio Olimpico. After 18 months at Verona, on the pitch he believes he has taken an upward step in Serie A by joining Sassuolo. And off it? Moving to Modena sounds like he has simply swapped one beautiful place for another.

In an exclusive interview, Doig said: “I loved every minute of my time at Verona. I don’t have a bad word to say about the club. They brought me to Italy from Scotland which was a big thing. They took me in and I embraced it. And eventually I’ve ended up getting an even bigger move.

“The city is amazing and the fans are mental. The place is stunning.