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The first interview: Ola Toivonen
Published: 28 August, 2015
by Oscar Chamberlain
New signing speaks to safc.com.
Ola Toivonen can’t wait to get started after moving to Sunderland on a season-long loan deal.
The attacking midfielder has a wealth of experience having scored goals in Sweden, Holland and France, whilst also picking up 43 caps and scoring nine goals at senior international level.
Toivenen is also relishing the prospect of linking up with a host of familiar faces as he looks to hit the ground running, revealing that he has a good understanding with a former team-mate who has already wowed the Stadium of Light crowd.
Speaking to safc.com the 29-year-old revealed his excitement ahead of his first experience in the Barclays Premier League.
“I’m very pleased to be a Sunderland player and I’m excited to get started,” said Toivonen. “I can’t wait to start playing and have my first training with the boys; it is always nice to meet new team-mates.
“I’ve played in the Swedish, the Dutch and the French league but I’ve saved the best, so I’m very happy and very excited to play in the Barclays Premier League; it is going to be a fantastic experience.”
He continued: “I’m a hard-working player and I will try to do my best for the team. I play easy football and like to combine with the midfielders, strikers and wingers, but when the crosses come in I always want to be in the box to help the strikers and score goals.
“I worked with Dick Advocaat for one year at PSV and we came along very well so I’m excited to work together again.”
And the head coach isn’t the only familiar face in Sunderland’s ranks, with Toivonen regularly featuring alongside Seb Larsson for the national team whilst also playing with Jeremain Lens at PSV.
“I already knew Sebastian from the national team and we’ve played together for five or six years, and I also know Jeremain Lens from our two years together at PSV.
“We [Ola and Jeremain] like to play together and he is a fantastic winger with excellent speed; he can give good cross to the strikers and it is always nice to have people you know around you if you have any questions about the club or the team.”