McDonald Mariga has expressed his delight at joining Inter Milan ahead of his new side's home clash with Cagliari in Serie A.

Mariga made his debut in stoppage time of the Coppa Italia victory over Fiorentina in midweek following his switch from Parma.

The Kenya international midfielder had looked to be heading to Manchester City in the English Premier League, but a proposed £7million transfer fell through when he was refused a work permit.

"I'm very happy to be here," the 22-year-old told the club's official website. "I am here to learn and I know I can do it with a great coach like Jose Mourinho and with a very strong team like Inter.

"This is a very important experience for me and I'm happy. I'm also happy with my debut, even though I was very excited. I am here to learn from my team-mates, who are all champions. They can teach me a lot.

"As for my position, I will play wherever the coach wants me to."

Mourinho's side are eight points clear at the top of Serie A and the former Chelsea boss added: "I'm satisfied that he's with us. I like him as a player.

"He can't play in every midfield position like (Dejan) Stankovic, but he can play in three. He can't play behind the strikers but he can play everywhere else in midfield.

"He's young, intelligent, humble and it will be a pleasure for me to help him grow. I like the way he works. Receiving a player from a good coach like (Parma coach) Francesco Guidolin and having the chance to finish off such a promising product is a pleasure for me."

Mariga has been compared to John Obi Mikel, a former pupil of Mourinho, and the Portuguese coach added. "He's faster than Mikel but less cerebral.

"We can't compare him to Patrick Vieira because Vieira was very experienced. He's a bit like (Mohamed) Sissoko at Juventus but has an even greater margin of improvement.

"In any case, he's a player I like athletically and psychologically. Me and his new team-mates will help him grow."

Cagliari also faced Fiorentina in their last match, a 2-2 draw in Serie A which left them in eighth place in the table.

Coach Massimiliano Allegri's side are 17 points behind Sunday's opponents, although only six behind Napoli in the final Champions League qualifying spot with a game in hand.

They are also just two points off a Europa League place after a run of four draws and two wins in their last six league matches.

However, Allegri faces a goalkeeping crisis after Italy international Federico Marchetti picked up an injury last weekend, while Cristiano Lupatelli is also on the sidelines.

Michael Agazzi could be handed his debut after signing from Triestina on transfer deadline day.