In an interview with NUFC TV, the official broadcaster of Premier League club Newcastle United, Valentino Lazaro has spoken on how he has settled into life at the club following his recent arrival.
The versatile Austrian international defender joined the Magpies on loan for the remainder of the season from Inter a few days ago and has shared his belief that he is settling in well so far.
“I think I am settling in well. I am currently staying in a hotel but hope to find an apartment in the next few days and that will be good. All the boys are great and helping me and it is a lot of fun right now.
“I think every human being needs a place where they can feel at home especially when you come to a new city and have new people around you. You need your own space to feel at home and I’ll be happy when I get that [a home] but it is already a very good feeling that I have here in Newcastle.
He then spoke on how it felt to be unable to feature in Newcastle’s goalless FA Cup draw with lower league side Oxford United.
“I’m training hard and my main focus is to play football. I wanted to play [against Oxford United] and feel the atmosphere but instead I just watched.
“I am just happy to be here finally and training with the boys and I want to do everything that I can.
“I will be very happy to make my debut there [at St James’ Park] and hopefully help the team get a lot of wins.
Next the 23-year-old, who only joined Inter six months ago, discussed the Premier League and shared his admiration for the league.
“The Premier League is known all around the world and as a footballer I have followed the Premier League for years. In Italy, everyone is a great fanatic of the Premier League. We now have some former Premier League players at Inter so we always follow the games and it is a lot of fun to watch.
“I’m very excited [to be able to play in the Premier League]. As a kid it was my big dream to play on the biggest stages in Europe and the Premier League is, in my opinion, the biggest stage right now. I’m very happy to be here like I said.”
Lazaro, who has also played for RB Salzburg during his playing career, then spoke on the Austrian national team going to this coming Summer’s European Championship’s and how the loan move to the Tyneside club could help him out.
“For Austria is not that easy to reach that [the European Championship’s]. We have now done it a second time in the row and we have our goals. Everybody wants to try and be at their best, to be in shape and in good form.
“So it’s important to have games and hopefully I’ll get my chance here to be in shape and help Newcastle, do everything for our fans and the club, and hopefully also do the same for Austria.”
