Romelu Lukaku already has a place in Inter fans’ hearts after a scoring on his full debut against Lecce last night, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Belgian pounced on a rebound after Lautaro Martinez’s shot was spilled to score the third goal in a 4-0 win, before bowing to the crowd in celebration.

Marcelo Brozovic, Stefano Sensi and Antonio Candreva were also on target as Antonio Conte’s tenure got off to the best possible start.

“The €75 million man is already a hero at San Siro,” GdS reported this morning.

“All he needed to do was play 90 minutes with the no. 9 shirt on and a bring a charge of enthusiasm which excited the 65,000 in attendance at the Meazza.

“You can count on it, Lukaku will help Inter enjoy themselves this year. He’s the man they will need to rely on if they want to fight for the Scudetto.”

Lukaku became Inter’s most expensive signing ever earlier this month and drew smiles and applause from the club’s president Steven Zhang yesterday.

GdS suggested Zhang was also secretly rubbing his hands with joy because of the knock-on effect Lukaku’s display could have on Mauro Icardi.

“It was the perfect way to push Maurito a little further away without making anybody sad about it,” the paper continued.

“Big and strong even for those who are admiring him from the stands, Inter’s new no. 9 waved his arms, asked for the ball and moved constantly from the start of the match. He provided an important presence outside the box as well, and not only in a physical sense.

“Conte wants strikers who play like Lukaku: a star who knows how to play for the team and can ‘occupy’ opposition players by creating space and chances for his teammates. This is why he was so determined to sign him for so long.”

Lukaku’s bow in front of the Curva, a move Radja Nainggolan also made after scoring his first goal away to Bologna last season, was described as ‘a very important sign’ of his new loving relationship with the San Siro crowd.

He was also praised for the warm hug he shared with Sebastiano Esposito after scoring, following the 17-year-old’s sprint down the touchline to celebrate.