Gedson: "It's one big dream to come to this big Club"

Gedson Fernandes already feels right at home in north London – in more ways than one.

Not only is our new loan signing from Benfica in love with our new stadium, but he’s coming to a city where – despite his Portuguese background – his family actually already resides.

Speaking on his arrival at the Club, the 21-year-old midfielder shared his excitement at the chance to play for us and told the story of how, even though he’s spent his entire career in Portugal to date, earned two senior international caps for his country and even won a Primeira Liga title during his time at Benfica, his parents, sisters and their extended family came to live in London before him.

“I’m very happy to be here today – I make my dream a reality,” he said. “For me, it’s one big dream to come to this big Club. I will try to give my best for the Club every day, in every training session and in every game and I will try to help the team wherever I can, working hard every day for this shirt.

“I have no words to say about the stadium. I’ve never seen anything like this – it’s unbelievable!

“The training ground is fantastic too, the people that I’ve met today are fantastic. I know the squad because I’ve watched some games, I have some references like Moussa Sissoko, I know a little bit about Eric Dier because he played in Portugal and I know the coach (Jose Mourinho) because he’s a big coach – I know about the staff (Assistant Head Coach Joao Sacramento and Goalkeeper Coach Nuno Santos) a little bit as well because one of my friends last year played at (their former club) Lille, so he spoke with me a little bit about the staff.

“This is a fantastic challenge that I have accepted and I have to win my challenge. I want to make good things – let’s see!”

Usually when a player joins us from overseas, his family follows later to join him. But in the curious case of Gedson, it’s the other way around – his nearest and dearest already live here and he’s now being reunited with them!

Speaking English to a good standard, the midfielder explained: “It’s a hard story. My family, they came to London because in Portugal, work is very hard and it’s very difficult to find work. They did not have a brilliant life but they have a good life here and this is one more motivation for me to be here today. Yes, they will help me to settle here.”

On the pitch, Gedson is looking forward to honing his skills under his fellow countryman Jose and is eager to test himself on the Premier League stage: “I have to focus on my job and try to do my best,” he added. “All young players want to work with Jose Mourinho because he’s one of the best – all of us as players want to stay near the best, so it’s fantastic to work with him.

“The Premier League is a different competition – every player in the world wants to play in the Premier League. For me, it’s one more motivation because I always dreamed of playing in this league and now let’s make my dream come true. I think we’re going to do fantastic things because this is a fantastic Club.”