Noah Okafor has revealed that his dream was always to play in the Premier League as a kid, after swapping AC Milan for Leeds United.
Earlier this afternoon, Leeds confirmed the signing of Okafor on a four-year contract, subject to a work permit and international clearance. The fee is believed to be in the region of €20m, and it brings an end to an up-and-down two-year spell with Milan.
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The 25-year-old began his career at FC Basel and then got a move to Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg. Interestingly, he failed a medical at RB Leipzig in January and Leeds are part-owned by Red Bull, so it is clear he has been in the orbit of the sporting side of the energy drink company.
‘A dream come true’
Okafor spoke to LUTV after the move was made official and spoke about the reasons for making the switch to England.
“I think it’s an amazing day, I’m really excited. As a kid, I dreamed of playing in the Premier League. That’s why for me it was quite an easy decision. So I said, yeah, my football suits the Premier League, this is like a dream come true. I can’t wait to step on the field,” he said.
“I heard that the Premier League is the best league in the world, it’s so intense. I have loads of friends that played there or are playing there. I’m really, really excited. I can’t wait, like I said before. I’m also ready for this new challenge.”
Noah will be linking back up with a couple of familiar faces to him, but also will recognise his team-mates from the pre-season friendly in Dublin.
“I know Brenden Aaronson, he’s a friend of mine. I used to play with him in Salzburg a couple of years ago. I also know Isaac Schmidt, he’s from Switzerland. And Lukas Nmecha, I know a little bit. For the other guys, I’m excited to get to know them better.
“[In Dublin] I was like, why are there so many fans in a friendly game? And then I saw on the screen it was like 50,000. So I was like, wow. And it was quite loud, but I heard in the stadium [Elland Road], the atmosphere should be crazy.”
Although he might not be a direct replacement, it seems that Victor Boniface will join from Bayer Leverkusen soon to restock Milan’s forward department, on a loan with option to buy deal.
Good luck, you’re a good lad and I always worked in silence. Thank you
Good luck Noah, even if playing for Leeds sounds hardly as a dream lmao
“As a kid, I dreamed of playing in the Premier League”. Every player tells that. Bla bla bla. Stop with the bs.
No, they dream of playing in Saudi league. How is it bs for someone to say that as a kid they wanted to play in the strongest league on the planet? 🤣🤣🤣🤣
The Saudi League is for old men, They go their for the cash, after they are past it.
I mean these days a lot of them will have grown up with the Premier League being the powerhouse it (sadly, but realistically) is.
And, in Leeds, he’ll play in front of a large, loud crowd each week. He’ll get a pay rise too.
All the best.
Thank you and best of luck Noah!
Some people are really bitter. The PL is the best league, full stop. Wish him well, he’s going to a great club, on their way up.