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Magpies are a perfect fit for me, says Krafth
Emil Krafth said Newcastle United is a perfect fit for him after he completed his permanent move from French side Amiens on Thursday.
The full back checked in at St. James’ Park and signed an initial four-year-deal with the club on the final day of the transfer window, becoming the Magpies’ fourth acquisition of the summer.
Sweden international Krafth – who helped his country reach the World Cup quarter-finals just over a year ago – has also played in his homeland and Italy, where he enjoyed a spell at Bologna before joining the Ligue 1 outfit.
But he feels that English football will suit him as he sets his sights on a debut at St. James’ Park, where United face Arsenal on Sunday (2pm kick-off).
“It’s a good moment in my career to take a step forward. The plans Newcastle had for me, I felt like it was fitting me perfectly, so that was why I chose Newcastle,” he told NUFC TV.
“In my career, I’ve played in Italy and France, and I’ve always wanted to try the Premier League also. I think the league and the style fits how I play as a player.
“In those countries I’ve been in, I’ve learned a lot there also. In Italy there was a lot of tactics as a defender, so I learned a lot there, and I learned a lot in France where the football is a little bit more like the Premier League.
He added: “I don’t like to talk about myself like this, but I’m solid, very physical and I’m good with the ball. I’m good one against one in defence.
“That’s why I wanted to try the Premier League – I think it will fit me as a player. It’s a hard league to play in physically, and I like to play physically, so hopefully it’s going to fit me well.”
Krafth – who has been capped 20 times by Sweden – arrives just a few days before the 2019/20 campaign gets under way, and says he is looking to show what he’s capable of immediately as he looks to secure a place in Steve Bruce’s United starting XI.
“From the beginning, I don’t come here to not show what I’m good at. I’m coming here to show what I’m good at, try to do my best and try to play as much as possible,” said the former Helsingborgs defender. “I’m always going to be there and fight for my spot. There are many good players in the team but you have to fight for what you want to do, and I think that stands for everybody.
“I just arrived so I haven’t seen all the players. When you have pre-season you only want the league to start, because pre-season is hard and you’re fighting a lot to get fit. You always have the view that you want to start the league now, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Stockholm-born Krafth played 35 times in Ligue 1 last term, where Amiens – whose ground, Stade de la Licorne, has a capacity of just 12,000 – finished 15th in their second season in the top flight.
He admits that walking out in front of 52,000 on Tyneside is a completely different prospect for a player who has featured on the biggest stage of all.
“Amiens was a small club, it was a small stadium. They were full all the time, but it was 12,000 and it’s another thing to come to the Premier League and play in front of 52,000 people,” said Krafth.
“I heard they had great fans also, so I’m looking forward to it.”
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