Stephan El Shaarawy keen to kick-start career at Monaco

With a frustrating spell at AC Milan in the rearview, on-loan Monaco attacker Stephan El Shaarawy has pledged to restart his career at the principality club.

The 23-year-old Italian international's loan move to Monaco will become permanent when a €15-million deal appearance-tied stipulation is triggered, a move the Genoa youth product sees as necessary for the second chapter of a young career.

"It's a formality, even though it's tough to end that relationship (with Milan)," El Shaarawy told Gazzetta dello Sport, courtesy of ESPN FC.

"I had some great years there despite my injuries and everything else."

El Shaarawy has appeared in 12 Monaco matches this season and five times in the Europa League, a club still trying to find their identity following the departure of Anthony Martial to Manchester United in the summer.

The 17-time capped international is hoping to replicate his breakthrough 2012-13 campaign at Milan, when he scored 16 Serie A goals with four assists in 37 appearances for the club.

"I will never forget what I did in 2012, but it was the right time to move on. I will restart here.

"I had a long injury layoff. I couldn't do anything about it and I knew how good I was. In a certain sense, injuries have helped me grow."

With one eye on success with his new club and one on next summer's Euro 2016 tournament, El Shaarawy has vowed to again find his form with Leonardo Jardim's squad.

"My only focus is on rediscovering my form. I want to be a star at the Euros and everything depends on my play for Monaco. I feel great."