SAMBI LOKONGA: "I LIKE TO PLAY OUT FROM THE BACK AND BREAK THROUGH OPPOSITION LINES"

Albert Sambi Lokonga, spoke after becoming our third signing of the summer after arriving on loan from Arsenal FC. He began by speaking about why he has Sambi on the back of his shirt: "It's not me that chose it to be fair. It's just that people called me Sambi instead of Lokonga, so when they asked me how I'd like to be called, I said Sambi." 

"It's been a good day, with lots to do, signing the contract, the heat... but I am very happy to be here. I've always wanted to play in Spain and now I have the chance, so now that is why I am here in Sevilla. I've always had Sevilla in my mind because of the winning mentality and looking at the Europa League, what Sevilla have done is incredible. I have always wanted to be part of a winning side and so that is why I chose to come to Sevilla," he continued. 

"I always had Sevilla in mind because they have that winning mentality" 

The Belgian admitted "It's a great challenge for me, but I like challenges, so it's definitely something good. We have to believe that we can do it. This club belongs at the top. I have been watching it when I was at Arsenal. I hope we can have a great season and hopefully, we can bring the club back to where it belongs. I want to play as many matches as I can, but I want to play at my level, play well, and help the team. Hopefully, we can qualify for Europe, the Champions League would be incredible. That would mean having a fantastic season."

Describing himself as a footballer, Lokonga emphasised that "as a player, I don't like to talk about myself, I prefer people to judge by what they see, but I love having the ball and organising the team. I like defending, helping my teammates... I'm there for that. I can play as a six or as an eight, but the most important thing is having freedom on the pitch, so I can feel much better and demonstrate my qualities. Likewise, wherever I play, I will give my best and try to make everything work. I like to build from the back, break the opponent's lines, that's the way of playing that I like the most."

"I liked Patrick Viera as a kid, I try to take the best bits of great players" 

"I really liked Patrick Vieira when I was a kid, he was a great player and a legend at Arsenal. I watched him to learn how to play, although I like to be myself. I try to learn from all the great players and mix things from them to have a bit of each in my game," he commented more about his playing style.

Lokonga admitted that he is fascinated by La Liga and that "I really like how the playing style, having possession, making lots of passes, building from the back to reach the front... That's what I like the most, and I think it has made me a better player. I like to think positively to move forward."

"We want to feel the passion in every match and make the stadium an unpleasant place for our opponents"

To close, he sent a message to the fans: "I would like to tell the fans that we are going to need them, that to have a great season we all need to be together, especially in difficult moments. We need them to be with us and push us. We want to feel the passion in every match and make the stadium an unpleasant place for our opponents."