AC Milan striker Gianluca Lapadula admits he's considered quitting the game.

The 26-year-old striker is in his first Serie A season, having pushed Pescara to promotion via the play-offs last term with 30 goals and 12 assists in 44 games.

“Over the years I saw many teammates change career because they couldn't afford rent or reach the end of the month on their wages," he told redbull.com.

“I have always been positive, my heart always believed in my chances, even when I was the only one who did. Maybe it was best to go through all that to realise what it means to be here.

“I had moments when I thought: 'Why am I doing this?' I remember an incredible sequence of events. I was at the Treviso youth academy and the club went bankrupt. I went to Serie C2 at Vercelli and a year later they went bankrupt. I went to Ivrea, who went under, then Atletico Roma in Serie C1 who went bankrupt, so I went to Ravenna and they went bankrupt too.

"Now I always have a smile on my face at Milan because I want for nothing. I don't have to worry about my wages. Considering what I've seen elsewhere, everything here seems more precious. I appreciate it to the full."