Newcomer Adeyemi talks about BVB, Haaland and Salzburg
National player Karim Adeyemi returns to Germany after successful years at RB Salzburg. On Wednesday afternoon, the 20-year-old striker explained his move to Borussia Dortmund in detail – including a curious statement about Erling Haaland.
Austrian champion three times in a row and cup winner three times in a row: Karim Adeyemi’s time at RB Salzburg is littered with successes – including personal ones. The talent, who was brought in from SpVgg Unterhaching in 2018, has quickly developed into a seasoned professional with a goal-oriented approach – more than 30 league goals and more than 20 assists in 100 quick games in the Austrian Oberhaus are testimony to this, as are four Champions League goals. This not only gave the 20-year-old native of Munich a place in the German national team, but also a contract with Borussia Dortmund (until 2027).
At his farewell press conference in Salzburg this Wednesday afternoon, the new black and yellow hopefuls again spoke in detail about his time at RB, his graduation from BVB and other things.
Adeyemi about…
… the last intensive hours with the trip to Dortmund, the signing of his contract with BVB and the subsequent quick return trip to Salzburg including a farewell press conference two games before the end of the season: “I would have thought I would be a little more nervous when signing the contract. But it was ok. I think the nervousness only comes when we meet the team.”
… farewell from Salzburg: “It’s going to be difficult and emotional because it’s been so successful and harmonious here in recent years. Farewells aren’t really my thing.”
… the double won again with RB Salzburg: “That was the goal – and we achieved it. I’m very happy.”
… the special moments in Salzburg: “I can’t pick any special things, there were so many. Salzburg is also a beautiful city, there were so many players and people who always helped. There are no people here who wish you something bad. There I can’t highlight anyone in particular, I can just say ‘thank you’ again.”
I’m a different type of player. You can’t compare that.
Karim Adeyemi on Erling Haaland’s footsteps
… the importance of this decision to take the next step in your career in the German Bundesliga: “It’s difficult to find the right words. I had very nice years here in Salzburg and I’m very grateful to everyone who has accompanied me here over the years. I’m still happy to take this next step. I think it is also a good step for me and my future.”
… the decision in favor of Dortmund: “I’ve been dealing with the club for a long time – and I just think that this is the next and right step in my career for me. I just always felt comfortable with my family during the talks. And that’s how it is been an easy decision.”
… the atmosphere in Dortmund: “Of course I’m really looking forward to the fans – and also to the team. That’s just great. As you know Dortmund, the club simply has a great stadium and great fans. I’m just looking forward to the time there.”
… the first request from Dortmund and the further procedure until the contract is signed: “We’ve been in contact for a long time, I don’t know exactly. I was definitely honored to have received an offer from such a team. I’ve followed Dortmund several times in the Bundesliga. Over time it turned out that more and more contact was made – right up to the contract now.”
… his attitude towards contract talks in general: “I always have to have a good feeling about the whole thing. It just has to harmonize with the club, with the city and the environment. That’s how it has to be for me personally – and it was also the case with Dortmund .”
On the subject
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Adeyemi transfer is also worthwhile for SpVgg Unterhaching
…Marco Rose: “I talked to the coach, which I think is very important to find out what his ideas are. The talks with him were good, I get on very well with him too. We just had an open conversation , that was a few months ago. The coach then said that he would like to have me in Dortmund. That’s why I can go there with a good feeling. But I can’t say anything about the exact style of play yet.”
… the big footsteps in Dortmund after the departure of Erling Haaland, who, like in Salzburg, moved on before Adeyemi’s arrival: “It’s similar to here in Salzburg, where I joined the team. Coincidentally, it was Erling Haaland again here that I’m his. But I think I’m a different type of player than Erling. I can’t say that I feel pressure either. I I just want to help the team and I’m looking forward to the task in Dortmund.”
Signed his BVB contract on Tuesday with a term until June 30, 2027: Karim Adeyemi.
IMAGO/RHR photo
… his goals in the next few years: “There are many things that I can still improve. But I can’t list them all now… there are still many. What is most important is that I want to improve. It is important to always reflect.”
… his already achieved goals: “It’s not the way I want it yet. It can always be better, I’m just never satisfied. That’s why it’s difficult to say anything here now. The bigger goal right now is to be the top scorer and above all to get the number 2 in front (current leader of the scorer list with 19; Note d. Red.).”
I don’t know anything about specific conversations.
Karim Adeyemi on an interest from FC Bayern
… FC Bayern and a possible interest from the German record champions: “I don’t know anything about specific talks now. I’ll put it this way: I’ve sat down with Dortmund more in recent years or followed the club more. It’s just always harmonized well here.”
… his role models: “I can’t say that, I don’t really have a role model in football right now. Personally, I see my father and my parents as role models.”
… the German championship: “What goals the club has, whenever you ask the club. My goal now is to get along in the team and first of all to become a regular there.”
“Public favorite in Dortmund”
During the press conference this Wednesday, RB sports director Christoph Freund (44) also commented on his protégé, who was loaned from Unterhaching in 2018 and initially to FC Liefering – and gave an insight into his time in Salzburg: “This time passed extremely quickly for me I can still remember Karim and his parents for the first time four and a half years ago. Then everything happened very, very quickly. Within hours the decision was made that he would move to Salzburg. At that time he was already a young, funny fellow and also a little nervous about leaving home for the first time in Munich. It was a big decision, but also a right one. How he has developed since then is extraordinary. He caused a sensation and delivered unbelievable games in the Champions League too. He’s also grown humanly and is extremely popular.”
And: “It’s not surprising what kind of path he has taken and is still taking. He’s a great person. How he plays football is simply possible. We’re excited about what we’ll hear from him in the future and will see. I think he will also be the crowd favorite in Dortmund, he will always cause murmurs in front of the Yellow Wall in Dortmund. I’m sure of that.”