2024-09-16 17:54:28
Henrikh Mkhitaryan, the midfielder of the Armenian national team, gave an interview to the official website of the FFA, which we present below, after moving from Dortmund to “Borussia”.
– Henrich, first of all, on behalf of all Armenian football fans, we congratulate you for being officially included in the team of the vice-champion of Germany. Today you officially represent Borussia Dortmund, and I think you can already talk about your transfer “odyssey”.
– Thank you for the congratulations. I also want to take this opportunity to thank all those who were interested in my work. I also thank those who congratulated me on this move and sent their best wishes.
As I promised, I am giving my first official interview to the official website of the FFA in Armenia today, already as a football player of “Borussia” Dortmund. I promised that I would update myself on my move and affairs when everything was legally finalized.
There wasn’t really any “Odysseus”. I just had occasion to say that during this period, when I was mostly in Yerevan and patiently waiting for the negotiations between various clubs and the actions of my agent, all kinds of information and rumors were spread for various reasons. They were useful for the media, not for me. That is the reason why I asked not to make unnecessary comments, and also to prevent all those who were constantly spreading various unverified information, creating misunderstandings and solving some problems for themselves. I have already said that transfer negotiations between clubs are a normal process in football.
As a professional soccer player, I had to follow the rules of the game. Yes, there were negotiations going on, a professional agent was handling it, and I had to wait for the end of the negotiations and the formalities. Today I am already in “Borussia” of Germany. This is the “odyssey”.
– Finally, when did you go to Dortmund?
– Despite all the different information that was being spread, I left Yerevan for Vienna on July 8, and from there I left for Dusseldorf. I was met there by the representative of the “Borussia” club, with whom we traveled to Dortmund.
– When was the official ceremony to introduce you?
– The official ceremony of my presentation as a newcomer took place on July 8, Monday, because that day was declared a free day in the club. The team played Magdeburg the day before, and Borussia declared an “open” day for the media on Monday. Official filming of the team and players took place that day, as required by protocol. All legal issues are already done, contracts are signed. I was handed the jersey number 10. I must say that there is a very good atmosphere in the team, I was received very well and I am very happy about it.
– Was jersey number 10 your choice or the club’s?
– It was my choice. I vacillated between the number 22 and the number 10 that I and my fans have become familiar with. I decided to choose a new one and chose the number 10 jersey.
– In the last season, you played against “Borussia” twice for “Shakhtar”. Did you have acquaintances on the team?
– I had no acquaintances in the team, but I have already managed to get to know several football players.
– Did you talk to Jurgen Klopp about your role in the team?
– No, the coach hasn’t talked to me yet. From today I will participate in the training of the main team.
– Was “Borussia” your choice?
– Yes. I consider this a very important step in my life. I chose “Borussia” because it is a strong club, has good players and a good coach. Borussia fans create a fantastic atmosphere in the stadium. I hope I can make them happy. My goal is to win every game with the team.
– Where will you live? As in the case of Shakhtar, in the team’s training ground?
– No, the club will provide me with an apartment. Now the representatives of the club are dealing with that issue.
– How do you feel about leaving “Shakhtar”?
– I want to thank Shakhtar, the president of the club, the coaching staff, especially the head coach Mircea Lucescu, my teammates, the thousands of Shakhtar fans who have helped me a lot over the years. Without the people I mentioned, I would not have achieved what I have achieved today.
I want to thank again all the people who helped me move to Borussia. I hope I will be able to live up to everyone’s expectations.