Patrick Soko: "I hope we have a great season together"

C.D. Leganés presented Cameroonian forward Patrick Soko as a new pepinero player on Monday. The attacker arrives from U.D. Almería on a season-long loan, with an option to buy.

The club's director of football, Andrés Pardo, welcomed the player, stating he was "very happy to have him with us. He looks happy, content. He is a player with a long career, but still young. In Mexico, Racing, Huesca, Ibiza, Almería. We hope to get the most out of him and that he brings us a lot of joy."

"When the opportunity arose, I decided it was the perfect place for me"

For his part, Soko began by thanking "God for being here, and the club for their trust. I hope to return it with commitment, dedication, and effort. I hope we have a great season together."

Days of Waiting: "I was training. I knew that sooner or later it was going to get done. Everything turned out the way I wanted, and I am happy to be here."

Preferred Position: "I haven't spoken with the coach yet, because the day I arrived I had my medical checks. They've told me about him, and today we will start getting to know each other. I like playing in all attacking positions and will play wherever they need me."

Signing for Leganés: "When the possibility arose, I decided it was the ideal place for me. I spoke with Andrés, with Pulido, and they convinced me to come here, to a club that wants to grow and do things right, just like me."

Final Details: "There were a few remaining contract and transfer details. I knew it would be resolved, and I was preparing myself to start with the team."

Objectives: "I have to do things well so that the buy option is triggered. You have to work every day; that's how you achieve things."

Influence of Etoo: "I haven't spoken with him. I spoke with my agent, with Andrés, and with Rubén Pulido—they are the ones who convinced me the most. I hope to contribute with my commitment. I am a team player who always wants more. I am going to work and give the best version of myself to bring a lot of joy every weekend."

Self-Definition: "I am a fast player, a team player, a professional who wants to grow and always wants more."

Possibility of Playing as a #9: "I know the player I am and what I am capable of. I need to work every day to be able to achieve it."

Impact on His Career Path: "I was coming off a very good season at Huesca, and at Almería many things happened that I don't like to talk about. Last season was very tough for me. I lost my father, who was my idol, and shortly after, my grandmother. It was very hard for me. But today I am well, stronger than ever, and where I want to be. I am convinced that I will give my best."

Adaptation: "The coach will decide. Today will be my first training session with the group; I will get to know the team and we'll see what happens."

Moments with His Partner: "She is my companion and the one in charge. She supports me enormously, and since I've been with her, I have always kept growing."

Andrés Pardo: "Soko is a major upgrade for us; he's fast and can play multiple positions"

Subsequently, Andrés Pardo answered questions from the media:

Absences in Wales: "A mix of reasons. Some players missed out due to injury, others because we want to start giving more minutes, and others due to club and tactical decisions. We all know what the situation is for each player within the club. Diawara got hurt in the match against Real Madrid and will be out for several weeks. The rest were tactical decisions."

Álex Forés: "I don't talk about individual names unless they are here. I don't like to talk about hypotheses, but rather certainties like Patrick."

Three Center-Back System and the Possibility of Defensives Transfers: "We are closely aligned with the coaching staff since they arrived. The coach is testing many setups and we are discussing any of those possibilities. We know the path; the coach is very clear on things, and we are delving deeper into it knowing that it is a long summer and we have many new players who need to integrate."

Peace of Mind Regarding Soko: "We are never completely at ease. He came with permission from Almería, couldn't travel, and we preferred that he stayed in Madrid working. It took a bit longer to resolve due to bureaucracy."

Attacking Reinforcements: "From the beginning, we were going to focus from midfield upward. Soko gives us a significant leap, because he is fast and can play in several positions. He has good goalscoring numbers and we hope he can maintain them. We will continue to bring in people in those areas."

Finalizing the Squad: "It is quite advanced. There are still a few things left to arrive, and timing will depend. Maybe next week we do two or three things and end up closing it or not. The timing depends on the market situation."

Figueredo's Departure: "It addresses more of an overpopulation in that position with Peña and Tejero. Last season he had no luck in his adaptation, he got injured, and he himself didn't end up having good feelings. His club is going to play the Europa League qualifiers, and we hope things go well for him."