Norwich City have signed 21-year-old forward Mohamed Touré from Danish Superliga club Randers. Upon signing for the club, the Australian international sat down with Canaries TV to discuss his move.
Welcome to Norwich City. Congratulations. First of all, what are your thoughts on joining?
I'm very excited to see the project. I've known the club for a very, very long time. I've been following the club, so I'm just excited to get started.
Has this been something that's been on your radar for a little while or has it all been very last minute?
You know how it gets in the window. Obviously, when my agent tells me there is interest, everything just happens fast after, so it's been pretty quick.
What's your perception of football in England?
What I've been told growing up from Australia is that it's very physical, demanding, a lot of games, especially in this league. So I'm just willing to take on the challenge.
You've obviously played in Australia, France and Denmark. Talk us through those experiences and how they might help prepare you for the challenge in England.
Australia, I was very young. I started at 15. I stayed in Adelaide United until I was 18 and then I moved over to France. I feel like the first move was just a learning experience, you know. It was my first time in Europe. I was learning a different language as well because I went straight to France, so I had to pick up a bit of French.
But everything was just a learning experience. When I went to Denmark, I started to play more often and now I'm here. So I just feel like taking those steps have helped me along the way and I feel like I'm ready to take on the challenge now.
How do you feel your game developed during each of those phases?
I think it developed a lot because sometimes you can learn by observing and I did a lot of that when I was in France. I didn't play much but I was learning, I was training with very, very good players. I had a good manager as well, taught me a lot of things. Then I got my game time in Denmark and I think it's developed me a lot because to improve you also need to play games. I was playing a lot of games in Denmark and it wasn't a bad league — physical league as well — so it's gotten me ready.
What's your game like? Is physicality a big part of it?
Yeah, I would say these days to play striker you have to be physical. A lot of centre-backs are strong these days.
How did you find living away from home and having to grow up quickly?
I guess at the start it was challenging. I grew up in a big house with a lot of people. I have a big family. And then from that to just living alone was challenging at the start, but I feel like I'm getting used to it now. Obviously I've just come from Denmark with my little brother. I was playing with him, so we were living together. So now it's going to be a different challenge, but I feel like I'm ready.
What's Mo the person like? What do you bring to a team environment?
Ah, people say I'm funny. I don't know. Just vibes.
What are your impressions of Norwich City as a football club so far and perhaps even some of the people that you've met?
It looks like a big family club, you know. I hear that you guys have a big support and you can see in the games. A very young squad. I heard that the dressing room's very friendly. Hopefully they can help me settle in.
I'm here to learn and develop as a player, as a young player coming to a league like the Championship. I'm here to just develop my game and with the gaffer, hearing the influence he's had on a lot of the players and he's brought out the best of a lot of the players. So I just feel like it's an environment I want to be in and I want to improve under him.
Who have been the biggest influences on you, on your game growing up and you as a person?
I have two brothers that play professional. I could say they've influenced my game a lot, learning off each other. Mistakes that one makes, we might correct the other. And then I had a lot of people in my life behind the scenes that try to keep me in place, keep me humble, grounded and just continuing to work hard. My dad as well. He claims he played football in the past, so he always has advice and it's been great.
How excited are the family for your move here?
Very excited. You know, my dad, where he's from, he watched the English league a lot and he loves the English league. So when I told him I was coming to Norwich, he was very, very excited for me and he was buzzing.
How much are you looking forward to seeing Carrow Road?
Very excited. I've seen it on TV a lot and I saw it on the Instagram page as I've been scrolling through and it looks like an amazing place, especially when there's 26,000 in there.
What would be your message to supporters who obviously haven't seen you in a Norwich City shirt yet?
Just know that you've signed a player that's going to give everything on the pitch. Every time I'm on the pitch, I try my best for the badge. I have one purpose coming to Europe and it's to be a footballer, to chase my dreams. And I feel like I have to do whatever it takes to reach my goals. I love working hard and I love improving.