I am proud to be here. Sima spoke highly of Slavia to me
"I am thrilled to be here. I am proud to have come to Slavia and happy to be part of such a great club," says the talented Senegalese defender.
Did Slavia performances in Europe play a role in your decision?
"Yes, I was familiar with Slavia from before. A few years ago, I think in 2019, I saw Slavia against Barcelona, my favorite team. Barcelona won that time. I know Slavia is a big team that played in the Champions League, regularly participates in the Europa League. I think itīs the ideal club for me to continue developing."
Tell me about your contact with Abdallah Sima, who left a significant mark at the club.
"My agent told me that Abdallah Sima was at Slavia and gave me his number. I spoke with him, and he told me he has great memories of Slavia. He said that when you are young and come to Slavia, you can become a great player, progress further. That is exactly my goal."
Is that why you chose the number twelve, which he used to wear?
"Yes, exactly for that reason. Hopefully, it will bring me luck."
Letīs talk about your rise in the autumn. You played almost all the matches in Tromsö, and the club finished third. What was that experience like?
"In Tromsö, it was challenging at the beginning. I just continued with the hard work that is characteristic of me. In the second half of the season, I gradually started playing. Then I played six or eight games in the starting lineup and scored. My development in the team continued. I am proud to have had a good season, and I am happy that we finished third, which means qualification for the Conference League."
How did it work out for you in Norway?
You experienced your first European engagement beyond the Arctic Circle.
"Norway is indeed a cold country (laughter). In Tromsö, it could easily be minus eleven. It is a good city and my first team in Europe. I will never forget it."
You are the fifth player from the Norwegian league to sign with Slavia recently. What is the level of the Norwegian top league?
"The Norwegian league is of high quality. It involves a physically demanding style of play. When I played my first game, I told my friend Chris that itīs not easy here, that I would have to work hard. And it was like that (laughter). The competition has a good standard. I still donīt know exactly how Slavia compares, but I think they play at a much higher intensity than in Eliteserien."
How are you looking forward to Slavia fans?
"The stadium is not like in Tromsö, where it had a capacity of about six thousand, but here itīs about twenty thousand (laughter). Itīs the biggest stadium here, and itīs beautiful. I am grateful to be here. I am looking forward to playing here."
What are your goals?
"I just want to keep working. Train diligently to play as many matches as possible. And why not win a lot of trophies while Iīm at it..."
