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Sandaza Ready for Challenge

Posted on: Wed 01 Sep 2010

By Will Jago

Albion striker Fran Sandaza, 25, is relishing a new challenge in football, after signing a one-year deal with the club.

The Spanish frontman signed this afternoon, after parting company with Dundee United in the Scottish Premier League yesterday, and cannot wait play for Gus Poyet - a player he has fond memories of watching play for Real Zaragoza in La Liga.

He told seagulls.co.uk, "I am very enthusiastic and very happy about the new challenge, because I was having a difficult time at Dundee United.

"I had plenty of different options, with offers from the Segunda División [Second Division] in Spain - as well as interest in the Championship, but due to Gus Poyet's influence, and the anticipated projection of the club I see this as a great opportunity for me to prove myself once again.

"Gus was absolutely 100 percent influential behind me coming here. I remember him playing in Spain, and I remember him as a top player, as well as great person. He's very charismatic."

The former Valencia forward moved to Tannadice Park in 2008, and influenced the team immediately, however hernia trouble kept him sidelined for much of his second campaign.

"The first year was very good for me. I made a big impact, and scored goals against both Rangers and Celtic, finishing the season as top scorer in the team.

"Second year I suffered from a double hernia, and I struggle to come back. I was out for a long time and it was difficult for me to get back into the team.

"But, I have now come through a full pre-season and I feel great. I feel very fit and I can't wait to start playing games again, and hopefully start scoring goals for Brighton.

"I don't like to talk about myself because I prefer other people to make up their own mind, but I think I have a good eye for goal. I will also lose my marker and work well between the defenders.

"I will put in a lot of work for the team. Although I consider myself a goalscorer, I am a team player, so I see myself as the first defender."

Meanwhile, Sandaza believes the strong Spanish-speaking contingent within the Albion set-up - including three players, the manager, assistant manager, and chief scout - will help him settle in to life in Brighton.

"At Dundee there was just one person who spoke Spanish but here I feel a lot more comfortable because there are a lot of guys that I will be able to communicate well with.

"Although I speak English and understand normal conversation, I cannot understand the jokes sometimes, because my English is not perfect. But I'm sure the players will make me very comfortable here."

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