Divock Origi, a new striker for Nottingham Forest, has described the discussion he had with Steve Cooper before opting to transfer to the City Ground.
Origi returned to the Premier League, where he spent eight productive years at Liverpool, by signing a loan deal with Forest from AC Milan late on transfer deadline day last week. The 28-year-old talked about what it’s like to play in the top division of English football and to be back home.
In addition, he gushed about Cooper, their brief conversation before Origi arrived, and his personal goals for the 2023–24 campaign.
Origi told the club’s YouTube account, “It feels great. Being back in the UK is nice. I had a brief tour and observed the stadium; it was impressive.
Regarding what drew him to Forest, he said: “For me, it was the approach, the team’s goals, and my own goals. I had the impression that something amazing was occurring as they were aligning. So it was a simple decision for me.
“Even returning to England seems like coming home. I virtually grew up here because I signed in the UK when I was 19 years old. It is wonderful to be back.
New surroundings ❤️#WelcomeDivock 🇧🇪 pic.twitter.com/uQg8SxyexQ
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) September 3, 2023
He chose Forest above other possible suitors after speaking with head coach Cooper before to moving. Origi praised the conversation, saying, “It was good. The work he is doing and the energy he is providing are both evident. I was able to tell before I ever spoke with him.
In our conversation, he described his impressions of me and the team, and he did a great job of translating their values. It was simple to comprehend. Despite the short duration of our chat, we felt right at ease with one another.
In order to “make the best season possible with the boys,” Origi stated that his personal goals for the upcoming campaign are to “bring the best version of myself” and “have fun” while he is at the City Ground.