AC Milan legend Pippo Inzaghi has crowned Gianpaolo Pazzini as his "heir".

Inzaghi hung up his boots and was suitably impressed by Pazzini's hat-trick against Bologna.

"I hoped he would arrive, because in my mind he was the centre-forward Milan were missing," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, only someone with Pazzini's characteristics can score those goals. I know Giampaolo well and we spoke before he signed the contract. He was very fired up.

"I am not surprised he got off to such a good start. He has instinct, can 'see' the goal and is very strong in the air. This season he can score 15-20 goals.

"Pazzini arrived at Milan aged 28, just like me. I hope he can have the same good fortune I did."