Boulaye Dia was officially presented as a new Submarine player alongside Fernando Roig Negueroles
New Villarreal CF signing Boulaye Dia was presented this lunchtime at the Training Ground, accompanied by CEO Fernando Roig Negueroles. The French-Senegalese striker underlined how he was pleased to be able to start a new adventure: “I’m very happy to be here. I want to thank the president, the board, the coaching staff and my team-mates for the welcome. I am very happy to be at this club to progress in my sporting career.”
During the press conference, Dia underlined the good feelings he has had since he arrived: “I’m feeling very good, there are a number of team-mates who speak French and that always makes you feel welcome. I’ve also been able to speak to Unai Emery.”
“I’ve settled in well, I’ve been learning and getting to know the group, I need to learn the movements they make to have as good an understanding as possible with my team-mates and perform as well as possible for the club,” added the new Villarreal striker.
Dia admitted that he would like to grow alongside the club: “I want to have continuity and improve my level on the pitch each season. I want to grow at Villarreal and develop my career alongside the club’s triumphs and win titles. The Champions League is the best competition, and I will prepare as much as possible for it. It helped sway me towards the club and I hope to be ready.”
A versatile attacker
Dia also underlined that he can play in different positions across the attack: “I consider myself to be a pure No.9, but I’ve also played on the wing and as a second striker.” The striker, who scored 14 goals in the top flight in France last season, as well as two more in the cup, can bring alternatives to the Yellows: “I can give more depth to the team, especially while running, creating spaces and opening up the pitch. I think I have different qualities to my team-mates and we can complement each other.
Finally, Dia underlined the importance of the fans for the club’s future successes. “Having support from the fans is very important, because they support us. When you’re at home, there’s nothing like playing in front of a full stadium.”
Roig Negueroles: “He’s a different player to what we had“
Villarreal CEO, Fernando Roig Negueroles, also highlighted the versatility and difference the former Stade de Reims player could make: “Boulaye Dia is a player who has been playing well for three years in the French league, who we’ve been following all that time, and we believed he was a different player to what we had, and he can offer us a lot up front. He’s a great signing, and we’re happy to have him here.”
