According to VoetbalPrimeur, Kieft has expressed regret over leaving Italy, where he spent a significant part of his playing career. The 32-year-old Dutch footballer played for Torino and Pisa during his time in the Serie A, scoring 16 goals in 32 appearances for Torino and 37 goals in 110 appearances for Pisa. Kieft credits his time in Italy for shaping him as a person and a footballer, saying it was a different culture, with different expectations and a different way of playing. He believes this experience helped him develop the skills and confidence to succeed in the Dutch football scene. Kieft's comments come as a reflection on his past, with the former top-scorer admitting he has always looked back with regret on leaving Italy.