RAFA MIR: 'SEVILLA FC IS THE IDEAL CLUB TO KEEP GROWING AND SHOWING WHAT I CAN DO'

Discussing his thoughts on the stadium, he said that it's different now: 'I want to experience as a home player. It's really impressive and I can only thank the people at the club for how they've treated me today. I really want to see the pitch full as it will be an exciting season and we are ready for it.' Mir had already visited the stadium last season as an away player: 'It was a very even game. Bono made the difference and I couldn't get him out of my mind after the game! When you visit a ground for the first time it surprises you. The anthem really impressed me - I experienced it at Valencia and it really gives you goosebumps.'

The Olympics in Tokyo are still fresh in his mind: 'It was an amazing moment that you can only experience once. It was incredible to be with the best athletes in the world at the camp and to win a silver medal. We didn't win gold but as time passes you look back on it and appreciate the experience. Diego Carlos won it and I spoke with him later at the hotel. It wasn't to be for us, but at least a teammate was able to win it.' Mir was vital to the team's passage to the semi-finals: 'I've always been taught that when you are given your chance you have to give your all. Sometimes you get your reward and sometimes you don't, but in that moment we were able to turn the game around and win it.'

'Tokyo 2020 was a special moment that you can only experience once'

Mir comes from a footballing family: 'We love football. My father and uncle were footballers and my grandad was really into it. They guided my steps when I was younger and are a big reason why I'm here today.' His brother is following in his footsteps: 'He plays for Mallorca's youth team. I try and teach him all I can and make it clear that this isn't easy. He has the ability to keep working and make his dream come true.' He started out with football sala: 'That was because of my dad. When you're younger it can teach you skills you don't learn playing eleven-a-side and it helped me develop myself further. It was a good decision. My dad was clear in that then I had to make the step up to eleven-a-side and I continued my growth.'

Mir will wear the number 12 on the back of his shirt, like Ben Yedder who also began his career with football sala and Kanouté who is one of Mir's idols: '12 is a big number at this club. A player who I really admire, Kanouté, wore it and I hope to do the number justice.'

'I hope to do the number 12 justice'

After making his professional debut at Valencia, Mir went at a young age to England where he did not get the minutes he hoped: 'To score goals you need to be playing and when you aren't a consistent starter it becomes more difficult. I made the call to go to England and it was a tough change - a new country, language, culture... It was difficult for my family and me. I was really young when I went and I didn't know what I was in for and it didn't really work out. I always was loaned out to Spain and I also had a go at Nottingham but you need to be starting games and I wasn't. If I had've got the chance, I'm sure it would have worked out differently.'

One of the loans was to Las Palmas, where he was managed by Manolo Jiménez: 'He helped me a lot, trusted me and gave me the time that young players need to learn. I can only thank him.' His last spell came at Huesca: 'Huesca really believed in me and I am so thankful. It was an intense year and a half in which we achieved our goals, showed who we are and got some goals. I can only thank the club, city and fans.'

'Manolo Jiménez gave me the time that young players need to learn'

Although it seemed he would be making a move to Atlético, he begins a new era in Seville: 'I am delighted to be here and it's the perfect club to keep improving and showing what I can do. There's no need to talk about anything else. My family and friends and I all think this is the best place to be. The club put in a lot of effort, trusted in me and showed me the support I needed. I want to be happy, playing and showing what I can do.'

Despite his young age, he is clear in his goals: 'Improve, score and help my teammates. Then we'll see what happens in the season and following ones. The fans are very demanding and I hope they can be at our side throughout the season. We need them supporting us as it pushes us on. I want to see them at the pitch because last year we couldn't enjoy the fans.' The demanding nature of the club is made clear from the get-go: 'Everyone pushes here. It's a big club and when you move here you need to be ready. And I believe I am.'