AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori admits earning praise from football director Paolo Maldini is something special.

Tomori appreciates the support of the Rossoneri legend.

He told The Times: "Paolo is such a huge figure, not just in Milan," Tomori said. “So for him to give it to me and to say those things — on top of me having 100 appearances for Milan — is a moment I will always treasure.

“Italians take huge pride in defending. When I came to Milan, I saw the museum, and saw pictures of people like Costacurta, Baresi, Paolo's dad, Paolo himself, Jaap Stam, Nesta, and saw the trophies they won, I thought, 'Wow, this is the level of defending.'

“That motivates me to take on as much as I can from the way they defend to improve myself. It's great to play for a club that's had so many great defenders."

On coach Stefano Pioli, Tomori added: “He is very particular in where he wants me to be in relation to the ball, standing on which side of their striker. It's been a real education.

“If I make a mistake, the manager takes me through it, he's been a really big help in me improving."