INTERVIEW WITH MKHITARYAN: ‘BORUSSIA WAS MY CHOICE’
Wednesday, July 10th, 2013
Henrikh Mkhitaryan at his new club in Dortmund.
After his highly publicized official move to the German soccer club
Borussia Dortmund, the midfielder of the Armenian National Football
team, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, held his first interview with the Football
Federation of Armenia.
FOOTBALL FEDERATION OF ARMENIA: Henrikh, congratulations on your
move to Borussia Dortmund. Today, when everything is finished, can
you tell us about your transfer story?
HENRIKH MKHITARYAN: Thank you for the congratulations. I would like
to thank everyone for showing so much interest in my transfer. As I
promised, I’m giving my first interview after signing with Borussia
Dortmund to the FFA. I also promised that I would tell the story
about my move myself when everything was officially completed.
When I was in Yerevan, waiting for negotiations between the two clubs
to end, I heard a lot of rumors, which were useful for the media,
but not for me. That`s why I tried to avoid comments from various
people until the negotiations were finished.
As a professional football player, I had to follow the rules of the
game; the negotiations were under way and I had to wait for them to
finish. Now I am officially a Borussia Dortmund player.
FFA: When did you leave for Dortmund?
HM: I left from Yerevan to Vienna on the morning of the 8th of July
and then to Dusseldorf from there. From there, representatives from
Borussia Dortmund met me and we went to Dortmund.
FFA: When did your presentation to the team take place?
HM: My presentation took place on Monday, on the 8th of July. Borussia
played against Magdeburg the day before, so Monday was a free day. The
photoshoot with the newcomers also took place that day.
Everything is now settled and the contract is signed. I will be
wearing the No. 10 jersey. The atmosphere at the club is very good,
everybody received me very warmly and I am very glad of that.
FFA: Was it yours or the club`s decision to give you the number 10?
HM: It was my choice. I hesitated between No. 22 – which has become
dear to me and my fans – and No. 10, but finally decided on 10 in
the end.
FFA: You played against Borussia Dortmund last season. Are you familiar
with anybody there?
HM: No, but I’ve already gotten acquainted with all the players.
FFA: Have you discussed with Jurgen Klopp about your role in the team?
HM: Not yet. I start training with the squad today.
FFA: Was Borussia Dortmund your choice?
HM: Yes, absolutely. This is a very important step in my life. I
chose Borussia because it`s a very strong team, with good players
and a great coach. Borussia Dortmund fans create a great atmosphere
in the stadium. I hope to make them happy and to win in every game.
FFA: Will you live on the club’s campus as it was at Shakhtar?
HM: No, the club will give me an apartment.
FFA: What are your feelings leaving Shakhtar?
HM: I want to thank FC Shakhtar, the president of the club, my
teammates and all the coaches – especially Mircea Lucescu – and all
the fans fans, who helped me a lot during the years. Without their
help I would not have what I have now. I would also like to thank
the people who helped complete my move to Borussia Dortmund. I will
try to make them proud of me.