The Brazilian international admits the pull of head coach Julen Lopetegui, as well as his friendship with fellow striker Diego Costa, was key to him switching La Liga for the Premier League, but since arriving into Wolverhampton, he’s found an ‘unbelievable’ squad of players which he believes will put the club back where it wants to be.
On joining Wolves
“I’m really excited to be part of this group and to be part of this club – it’s a big club.
“I’m excited to play in the Premier League, to play in Wolverhampton, and I think the most important point is that I’m happy like a kid.
On conversations with Lopetegui
“I know him as we’ve played against each other three or four times, and he’s a big coach, he has a big mentality.
“He told me about him joining Wolverhampton and Wolverhampton having a big project and I took to the project, I believe in it a lot, and I believe in him. I also believe in the players, and I believe in the club.
“The situation I’ve come into is not the best one. We need to take a little bit more points. But I believe in the club, I believe a lot in the coach, the mentality he has and he has many things to do here in Wolverhampton with the players, but the quality of the players is unbelievable.
“He’s a great person also, and I think everything together, we will put Wolverhampton where Wolverhampton needs to be.”
On being welcomed to the club
“It’s been unbelievably good. I feel like part of the players already. On the first day, the players come to me and gave me a very warm welcome.
“This is very important to me and for my family, so I’m very happy.”
On his relationship with Diego Costa
“He’s a very good guy, a really smiley guy, a really Brazilian guy and we’re always smiling together.
“I called him and he said to me, ‘Come, come. Please, please. It’s a big group here. It’s unbelievable. The guys are nice.’
“We got off in this situation, and I said, ‘OK, I will come my friend, wait for me.’”
On supporting the team on Boxing Day
“The first game I want to play, but it’s not possible, so I’ll be supporting the team a lot.
“I hope we will win against Everton because this is a very important three points for us and I believe the team will win this first game.”
On what the fans can expect from him
“I’m a very humble guy who will run a lot for the team. I also have many qualities in the game, tactical things, technical things, to help the team. But a humble guy who believes the most important thing is to help the team.
“I will do everything for the fans as I think the most important thing you’ll see on the pitch is a guy who will play for the fans.”
