C.D. Leganés presented Matija Nastasic and Sébastien Haller as new players this Tuesday morning. The Serbian centre-back and the Ivorian striker, the club's latest signings this summer, were excited about their new stage as Blue and Whites' players.
The club's sporting director, Txema Indias, assured that ‘the market has ended very happily. We were looking for these two situations, and if we had handpicked them we wouldn't have done any better. We are talking about two players who have been internationals, who have played in European matches, won the Premier League, the African Cup, the Champions League final... It is something that makes us all proud to have two players of this level and that they have chosen us. Thank you for betting on this club and this project’.
Txema Indias: ‘I didn't even think we could bring them in at the beginning of the market’.
Asked about the arrival of Haller, he confessed that ‘there was almost no time for anything, everything was concentrated in three or four very intense hours. We had been working on the striker for a long time and when his name came up we did our best. Both he and his agent and Dortmund made it very easy for us. I don't want to forget all those who have arrived and those who have brought us to the First Division. I didn't even think we could bring them in at the beginning of the market. It's another step forward for the club, in our growth. A year and a bit ago we were scared because we could be relegated to the First Federation and today we are presenting these two players’.
On the closure of the market, he assured that they are trying ‘to bring in the best players possible. My expectations were not so high. We were clear about the positions we had to reinforce. We exercised the options to buy players who helped us get promoted. We made three quick additions and then we had a difficult month where we had to wait to bring in the players we wanted. I'm happy, although there is always something missing. I think we have a very well-balanced squad in all positions.
Haller: ‘I have found a family and I hope to be able to contribute a lot in these months’.
Sébastien Haller said he was ‘happy to be here. I want to thank everyone for the love they have given me since I arrived. I need to play, I need to find the context to express myself on the pitch. Thank you for making things so easy. I've found a family and I hope to be able to contribute a lot in the next few months.
The former Dortmund player confessed that ‘goals are not the most important thing for me. I want to score as many as possible with the chances we create, but I hope to contribute to the team and stay fit. I'm not setting myself targets, I want to go back to basics: train every day, improve, be useful to the team, stick together, create chances and help the team. It's a new challenge, but for me it's the same: I have to give my best every day in training to achieve any goal. To improve, to play better regardless of the players the team has and the objectives they set themselves’.
On his arrival, he stated that ‘the market is complicated, sometimes things are difficult with transfers. We managed to do everything in a short time and I think I have a chance of playing. I'm happy for the confidence they've shown in me and for giving me the opportunity to play, which is what I need. I am very grateful for the support of the people. I'm very happy to make people enjoy myself on the pitch, which is the most important thing. I will give everything so that the people leave satisfied and give them joy during the season’.
‘The most important thing for me now is to help the team and do my best for Leganés’.
Haller assured that he arrives to ‘bring experience, but I can't attack alone. I will do my part to get to know my team-mates, I can bring physicality, experience, generate chances and, if I can score goals, all the better. The most important thing for me now is to help the team, to do my best for Leganés. When you join a team, you want to be useful and help in attack and defence. We have to go step by step, creating good connections between the players. We have to maintain the humility that characterises the club, and maybe in a few months‘ time we'll be thinking about something more ambitious’.
He also commented that ‘to be honest, I didn't know much about Leganés. But when you see the people you're talking to, it's simple. It's football. The people around me assured me that I would be fine, everything fell into place and the important thing is to feel comfortable and supported. I like to learn from all the strikers, how they move, how they play for the team and adapt it to my game’.
Nastasic: ‘I'm seeing that this club is a big family and I hope we can do great things’.
For his part, Matija Nastasic said he was ‘very happy to be here. It has been a long summer for me, we had many conversations and I have to thank the club for their interest in bringing me here, something that is very important for any player. In these first few days I am finding that this club is a big family, we all support each other and I hope we can do great things. The team is different to Mallorca, but it's normal to play different styles. I hope to train well these two weeks with the group, to get to know each other. I know what the atmosphere is like in the stadium, how the crowd here cheers us on, and I hope it will be an exciting season. We will do our best to be at 100%.
The Serbian believes that ‘for every team it is important to have several options in every position to compete in every training session, to be focused and to give the best for the team. The Leganés defence is strong, there are very good players and we will have competition, but it's the best thing for the team and for each of us to give our best. I feel good, I think I can help the team. I'll try to give my best, it's easier for me to play on the left. I think I can bring my aggression, communication on the pitch, confidence on the ball to pass to the next line in the build-up.
‘I'm very happy to be at Leganés, it was my decision and I'm delighted to be here’.
He assured that ‘it is important to have people you know. I have a very good relationship with Darko, we played together at Partizan. I also knew Marko from the national team, and it always helps when you come to a new team and a new city. In the last few days we have talked a lot.
Finally, he commented that ‘you never have a guarantee that you can stay at the same club for many years. This market was similar for me to last year, but you have to feel good in the team you choose. The people at the club spoke to me already in July, but at that time an agreement could not be reached. I'm very happy to be at Leganés, it was my decision and I'm delighted to be here’.
Afterwards, the players took to the pitch at I.D. Butarque in their Blue and Whites' colours, along with Eduardo Cosín, vice-president of the club, and Txema Indias himself, who said a few words to the fans. Afterwards, it was the turn of the new players, who were acclaimed by the half a thousand pepineros fans who were waiting for them in the stands, cheering and welcoming them as their new idols. Haller and Nastasic took photos, signed autographs and gave away balls to the fans on a day full of excitement.
