New Adelaide United recruit, Johan Absalonsen, says he is relishing the opportunity of playing football in Australia and embracing the responsibility that comes with being a senior player in the squad.
Fresh from penning a one-year contract with the Reds, Absalonsen is a former Danish international who has received two caps from his country in 2009.
The 31-year-old has spent the entirety of his 14-year career in the Danish Superliga, plying his trade with top-flight clubs Brøndby IF, Odense Boldklub, SønderjyskE and FC Copenhagen.
Absalonsen, a fleet-footed left-winger, gave his perception on the Hyundai A-League and was encouraged by the attacking style of play.
“I think it’s a league where you go forward,” Absalonsen said. “You try to play and you’re not that afraid of losing the ball and you want to get forward, that’s my impression of the A-League without seeing that many games.
“I think the pace and eagerness is very high down here in the A-League as I see it.”
The Dane, who boasts an impressive pedigree, said he was looking forward to acting as a role model in the team once he adapts to his new surroundings.
“I’m looking forward to it (being a role model), it’s a part of being one of the experienced guys,” he admitted.
“Being a guy who played many games at the top level I want to also give something to the younger players.
📺 | Here's a few highlights of our new Danish winger! #WelcomeJohan #AUFC #ForeverUnited pic.twitter.com/Q0MjtCsANM
— Adelaide United (@AdelaideUnited) July 18, 2017
“And I’ll try to do that as best as I can, but for now I just need to settle in and get to know everybody and of course learn their names.
“After that I can begin to hopefully be some kind of inspiration for the young players and try to be a good role model.”
Absalonsen also revealed he was readying himself for the warmer and, at times, blistering heat during the summer months of the competition – a far cry from the typically freezing Danish winter climate.
“I was told about it and when I think about it it’s not that bad,” he said.
“But I think when I’m standing outside and it’s 40 degrees (Celsius) I’ll think differently and I’ll miss the Danish winter.
“That’s a part of the experience down here and I must try to adapt as quick as I can.
“Because I’m from the north (of Europe) and not used to 40 (degrees Celsius), so I need to adapt.”
Absalonsen has accumulated over 350 appearances with his respective Danish clubs in all competitions, scoring a total of 59 goals and laying on a further 43 assists.
