Norwich City's Abu Kamara spoke to Canaries TV as he returns to the club after his Sky Bet League One-winning season on loan at Portsmouth
Abu, welcome back. First of all, just talk us through your time at Portsmouth and the memories you've made there?
"It didn't start off the greatest but as the season went on, I felt like I progressed a lot. But, the fans there were amazing, the boys were all welcoming and I'm just happy to be back."
When you knew you were going on loan to a club the size of Portsmouth, what goals did you set yourself for the season, and what did they tell you the ambition for the club was?
"I had a Zoom call with the manager and the sporting director, and they said that the ultimate goal was promotion. I liked everything I heard, it was a no-brainer for me. When I got there, I didn't think I'd play as much as I did. To be involved in every game of the season is just a massive achievement for me, and I'm happy to do that."
Over 50 games under your belt, how do you think your development benefitted from your time on loan?
"I think it's benefitted a lot, really. Having 50 games under my belt at such a young age is only going to make me more physically robust, and it's going to make me a better player at the end of the day. I'm grateful that the manager allowed me to perform."
We've seen some footage of you on Southsea Common, out there with the Portsmouth fans and on the pitch at Fratton Park. What was that like, celebrating a promotion with that fanbase?
"Honestly, it's one of the best feelings I've ever had, knowing that I was able to make a lot of people happy. It's been seven years in League One, but now they're in the Championship and I'm so happy I was part of that squad to do it."
Is that the first time you've sampled fans singing your name, and has that made you hungry for more?
"Definitely. I still don't know what I've done now! I haven't had time to process what I've done and what I've accomplished throughout the season. To hear the fans sing, it's going to fill me up with confidence. I really appreciate Portsmouth fans for that."
Since you've been back, not very long, have you had any conversations and do you know what the plan for Abu is next season?
"Not yet, it was just testing today. Not seen the manager just yet, but I'll see him throughout the day and hopefully I'll come back in and have a strong pre-season."
How did League One football compare to the football you've already played up to this point?
"Under-21s football is a lot slower than League One, so I had to adapt in that sense. League One is a lot more physical and you don't have as much time to receive the ball, look up and do what you want to do. In League One, you need to know what your next step is. That's helped my game a lot."
The players back here at Norwich, how much have you spoken to them over the course of the season and how much support were you given?
"I always keep in contact with the boys. The likes of Ken Aboh, Jonny Rowe, and a few of the other boys who were out on loan. Knowing that I'm on the same journey as them, it's always good to hear different angles of people's journeys and it's nice knowing we're all in this together."
Has it changed your belief of what is possible for Abu Kamara?
"No, honestly it hasn't. I've always known I was capable of achieving what I've achieved, and it's only the start. I'm hungry for more."
Over the course of the season, many highlights. What is your favourite moment from your time on loan?
"I'd have to say it was the last-minute winner. We came from 2-1 down to win the game 3-2, a Conor Shaughnessy header to win it at the Fratton End. It was poetry, you couldn't write it. Celebrating it and seeing fans running on the pitch, it was a crazy experience."
Have you scored a goal that you're particularly proud of?
"I'd say the Bolton game. It was about seven minutes in, and that game we could've been promoted. To score as early on as I did, I honestly thought I got the goal to get us promoted, but they ended up levelling. That goal, because of the feeling and how they fans reacted to it."
You can watch the interview in full on Canaries TV below.