Mauro Zarate has assured Lazio fans he wants to stay long-term with the Rome club.

The Argentine striker is on-loan from Qatar's Al Sadd and in a phone-in program on Christmas Eve, he said: "I am Mauro Zarate and take the opportunity to give best wishes to all the fans of Lazio.

"I am very fond of Lazio and the people, I cannot wait to sign a new contract."