Arnau Puigmal, Zito Luvumbo, Adrián Fuentes and Aboubaka Soumahoro were presented to the media on Thursday at the Secrets Mallorca Villamil hotel, part of the World of Hyatt, as RCD Mallorca players for the first time.
Find out what they had to say below.
Arnau Puigmal:
“I’d like to thank everyone for being here and the club for the welcome. I’m delighted to be here; it’s a great project and, personally, I’ll try to repay the club’s faith on the pitch and show the standard I believe I can reach. My aim, like that of my teammates, is to get the team back into the First Division.”
“I know the division well, and to any of my teammates who aren’t familiar with it, I’d say we have to take it one game at a time because the Second Division is ‘tough’ – you can’t trust anyone, and matches are decided by the smallest of details. The games are very closely contested; it’s a very evenly matched division, and I’ll say it again: we have to take it one game at a time and pick up points bit by bit.”
“I’ve played in various positions throughout my career, although I feel most comfortable on the right wing. My main strengths are in attack, although I’ve also improved a lot defensively. In any case, I’ll play wherever the manager thinks I can help the team the most.”
“I had a few offers from the top flight; to be honest, Mallorca has always been a club that’s caught my eye, and I believe it’s a club that belongs in the top flight. What’s caught my attention most is the project and the desire to get promoted to the top flight and be part of that division.”
Adrián Fuentes:
“First of all, I’d like to thank the club and everyone associated with this team who have shown great faith in me by giving me the opportunity to be here. I see this as a significant step forward in my career. Above all, I’m brimming with enthusiasm, ambition and a real hunger to compete in this shirt, to give my all for the team and to try to get the club back to where it deserves to be.”
“We must set the bar as high as possible; the objective is clear. Rather than seeing it as pressure, I view it as a wonderful challenge. Each of us can improve, perform at our best and, above all, grow together as footballers and as teammates. Taking on challenges like this helps footballers mature, and this is a key turning point for giving our all and pursuing our goal right to the end.”
“We have a squad full of ambition and presence. We mustn’t get obsessed with the targets because, in this division – even though we’re all aware that promotion is the aim – the reality is that it’s difficult. I think we need to keep our feet on the ground, work hard and take it one match at a time.”
“My strengths lie in my physical attributes. But it’s true that I move well inside the box. You have to try to find the right balance to contribute as much as possible to the team. Matches have their moments, and you have to try to make the right decisions – and, above all, bring out the best in everyone.”
Zito Luvumbo:
“I was really keen to return to Mallorca because I don’t think last season ended the way we all wanted it to. I felt I’d left something unfinished here and that I still had a lot to give to this club. I did everything I could to make a return possible. I knew it wouldn’t be an easy move, but thank God it’s come to fruition and I’m very happy to be back.”
“It was a very exciting project and from the very start I knew I wanted to come back. I spoke to Pablo Ortells and other people at the club because I was keen to return. The truth is, the only team I wanted to return to was Mallorca.”
“I’ve always had a very special connection with the fans. Even through social media, I’ve continued to feel that affection. I’m very happy to be back and I hope that this season we can enjoy it together and achieve our goal.”
“I have complete faith in the squad and in the ideas the manager is sharing with us. Demichelis and Luis García are different managers; each has their own way of working and their own ideas. But I’m convinced that with Luis García we’re going to achieve our goals.”
Aboubakar Soumahoro:
“I’m really pleased to be here. It’s a very important project and I’m delighted to be part of it. It’s a great opportunity for me.”
“My aim is to help the team secure promotion to the First Division. I know we have a great project and I want to contribute as much as I can to ensure RCD Mallorca returns to where it belongs. I’ll work as hard as I can every day to help the team and give my very best.”
