Zambian striker Patson Daka says he is excited to join Premier League side Leicester City following the completion of his switch to King Power Stadium.
Daka who was speaking to the club website in his first interview said it was a dream come true to join the reigning Emirates FA Cup Champions.
“I’m so, so excited to join this great, historic Club. It has been my dream and I’m so happy that my dream has come true and looking forward to what’s coming next. I can’t believe am already wearing this great shirt, it means so much for me,” he said.
“I have followed Leicester from the time they won the league. I feel it is the perfect place for me because it’s a team that fights for titles. I have been preparing for this challenge, I know it’s not going to be easy, but I know one said it would easy I just have to prepare adequately for this new challenge,”
Daka believes helping the Foxes win games is more important than scoring goals though he enjoys scoring goals.
“My playing style depends on the situation of the game and the kind of opponents I’m playing against. It’s something that I love to do, scoring goals. It’s just a different feeling. As a striker, it’s what is expected from me,” he said.
“At the end of the day, it’s not always about scoring, there are some games where I won’t be able to score, but what’s important is for me to give everything to the team to make sure that the team has got the result we wanted.”
“That is what is more important for me. Even if I don’t score, if I can at least assist or help the team in any kind of way, it makes me so happy because it doesn’t matter if I’m not the one who has scored. So long as I am a part of helping the team to win, that’s more important for me,” he added.
The 2017 CAF young player of the year is also excited to work with and learn from the 2019/2020 English Premier League golden boot winner.
“Jamie Vardy is one of those players I was looking up because of his style of play and his qualities so am so excited with this opportunity to play alongside him and learn from him, It’s a privilege,” he said.
“I will give my best for the Club every day, and I look forward to seeing the Leicester City fans inside the stadium soon.”
Daka has already had a chance to speak to his new manager Brendan Rodgers and he is happy with what he has heard from the Northern Irishman.
“When we had the negotiations, I spoke to him. I have spoken to him about three times or so and it’s been great. It’s so amazing to know you have someone who’s there, someone who believes in you. He’s got confidence in you, so he had a very big impact on my decision,” he said.
“The way he was talking wasn’t to convince me to join the Club, he was just telling me what they would expect from me and what they can do for me. At the end of the day, he told me it’s up to me to make the decision.”
“It was easy for me because he showed me the love that I want from a manager, so I’m just looking forward to working with him,” he added.
Daka has penned a five-year deal with the 2015/16 English Premier League Champions which will see him stay at King Power Stadium until June 2026.
Daka becomes the fifth Zambian to join an English side. Former Chipolopolo strikers Emmanuel Mayuka and Collins Mbesuma had unsuccessful spells with Southampton and Portsmouth respectively.
Daka scored 68 goals and registered 27 assists in 125 games for the Austrian giants winning four league titles, three Austrian cup titles, and one UEFA Youth League title.
He has been prolific for Salzburg, scoring 34 goals in 42 appearances in all competitions last season, including 27 in 28 league games to help Salzburg to the Austrian title. He was also named player of the season and took home the golden boot accolade.
im happy for daka but really wanted him to go to spurs
Your humility and fear of God will always excell.we love you mwana.
Your humility and fear of God will always excell.we love you mwana.
Congratulations Patson…you have proved yourself in Europe and no doubt you know how to behave as a professional player. Work hard, very hard….be the first to arrive and last to leave…all great players have behaved that way…leave those lovely English pubs alone…ask Mayuka or Collins, the will always be there!
Mwepu, you will miss your buddy no doubt…play your heart our in the Champions League…trust me, you are already on the ‘looked’ out…
God bless you fellows…
I still dont believe that he is ready for the EPL. He should have crossed to the Nethetlands or Portugal! EPL is a bridge too far for Daka. Having said that let’s wait and see and prove the agent isn’t in it for just the money.
@Prince lovely words of wisdom from you bro.
Paston put in an extra swift and be humble. As your country men we believe in you. The God factor will make you prevail.
Dear Zamfoot
Just asking who are the five Zambians to have played in England apart from the ones mentioned above?
Otherwise congratulations Patson!!
He is ready…the boy has an amazing football head, and will have excellent players around him…
Agree with you. I have watched ever since he moved to Austria. Patson, Mwepu and Fashion are the best
By the way Fashion Sakala has signed for Glasgow Rangers of Scotland. Five year deal
“The free transfer from Oostende has enjoyed a productive season in Belgium and with other offers on the table it was always going to be a tough sell turning down some of Europe’s bigger leagues for the SPFL, however, this is exactly what Gerrard did with some smooth talking, as told by Sakala:
“He can see something big coming for me.”
“He (Gerrard) said, ‘very few players have your qualities, and I have seen a lot of payers who have made it in European football who do not have your qualities. with your qualities I believe you can make it to the top’.
“At that time I felt caught, but I didn’t tell him!”
High praise indeed but again, it just goes to show the pulling power that Gerrard has, in the interview it is clear that the player and interviewer have the Gers gaffer on a pedestal, a true “legend” of world football.
My problem is that Ieanacho guy, bcoz jamie Vardy is a sure starter in the team.. he ought to have sign for Spurs or westham
He supposed to have sign for either Spurs or westham.. game time will be some how difficult for him in Leicester city with the likes of Ayoze Perez and most importantly that combination of Iheanacho and Vardy
Patson daka is not a bench material. When redbull signed him they had good strikers but our own son fought fot the jersey.
To me the choice of Leicester city is a bad one.. why going to a club u are not sured of being a starter? I would prefer him to sign for totenham or west ham