New Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen cannot wait to get going in Old Gold having become Gary O’Neil’s third signing of the summer.
The club’s new number nine – who finished last season as Celta Vigo’s top scorer in La Liga – is determined to follow in the footsteps of some of the legendary forwards to have worn the famous shirt over the years, and insists he will be doing everything possible to put a smile on the faces of Wolves supporters when the season gets underway in a month’s time.
On joining Wolves
“It’s an amazing day. It’s one of the best days in my life. I’m really happy to be here, to be able to sit here and look at the pitch that I’m going to be playing in the next years.
“To be honest, I’ve had contact with Wolves for a long time. I really like the way they want me in the squad and in the team, and I feel very comfortable coming here. From the very first second of coming into the training ground today I’ve felt welcomed and warm, so it feels like I’ve made the right choice.
“I had a good season last year, so I had a few options, but there were no doubts that when Wolves called me and wanted me to come. It’s been a good day ever since I’ve come here now. It’s going to be amazing and I’m really happy today, and proud.”
On playing in the Premier League
“It’s been a dream to come to the Premier League ever since I was a kid. I’ve been following it for a long time, but it has to be in the right moment, and it feels like now is a good moment for me to do it.
“I’ve had a good season in Spain, and learnt a lot there, but now I’m ready to make the next step. I’ve been in the Netherlands, also in AC Milan as a young kid, so I’ve had a few ups and downs and I know how to handle them now, but I’m looking forwards for a lot of ups now in this shirt.”
On continuing his goalscoring form
“I’m very confident. I’ve learned a lot from my two years there in Spain. I had a little difficult first year, and then the second one was really good, scoring goals, having assists and making an impact in the games, and that’s what I want to continue to do here.
“I’m really looking forwards to getting new teammates and to make them give me some goals. That’s what I’m here for.
“I’m a tall player, but I’m not only physical and be there to hold up the ball, I can also run and, most importantly, I fight for the team. I give everything 100 per cent. If I have to lose three teeth in a game, then I will do it.
“I give everything for the team, for the club and for the badge, and I’m going to do this here. I feel very welcomed already, so there are perfect reasons for me to try and continue like that.”
On taking the number nine shirt
“It’s an amazing feeling. I’m going to give everything from the first minute. To be wearing that number nine is a huge moment for me and there have been many, many number nines here. The last one was Jimenez and he was amazing here.
“I’m really proud to take that number, but I understand that it comes with a lot of hard work, expectation, and important games for me to play, but I’m really looking forward to it and I’m really going to give my everything, and it’s going to be an amazing season, I hope.”
On joining close friend Erling Haaland in the Premier League
“I’m very excited, and hopefully I can score here against him and can win 1-0! That’s one of my goals for sure, but he’s an amazing player and I’m lucky to play with him in the national team, and hopefully we will meet a lot of times in the Prem.
“I spoke to a few of my Norway teammates before I signed and we have a good connection in the national team and I have a few friends there who are quite stars in the Premier League, so we talked a little bit about it.
“But it was up to me, it was my decision, and I had good contact with Wolves for a long time, and they really made me comfortable, and that was my final decision. Coming here and seeing the stadium, seeing the facilities, is just making it even better.”
On preparing for pre-season training later this week
“I had a chat with Gary, the gaffer, and it feels amazing. We hit it off well and I’m really looking forwards to seeing the guys.
“There are a few really good names and I’m looking forward to seeing all of them and to bond with them and make good connections on the pitch so we can make some good goals on this pitch. I’m really looking forward to it.
“I’m already twiddling my feet, I can’t wait. But it looks amazing. I’ve never been here, but I’ve seen pictures, I’ve seen videos, I’ve seen a lot of Premier League games and I’ve heard the atmosphere here is amazing here also, so I can’t wait to get out there.
“I wish I could skip the next month now and get started, but we have an important pre-season in front of us where we’ll go to play some important friendly games to get in good shape to win some games here next season.”
