Sunday 17 July 2016 23:29, UK
Ahmed Musa is glad he gave up being a goalkeeper as he looks forward to making his debut with Premier League champions Leicester.
Musa joined the Foxes for £15m from CSKA Moscow earlier this month and the diminutive striker says his decision to switch positions while still at school has proved to be a shrewd one.
And now he is looking forward to working alongside Jamie Vardy, believing his lack of size will be more than made up for by the speed he will bring to an already fairly fleet-of-foot line-up.
"I was a goalie between 10 and 12," Musa said. "But changing was the best decision of my life because I would never have been good enough to become a professional goalkeeper.
"It was difficult at first but then you get used to the fact you are not very big. A lot of people used to tell me 'Musa, you are too small to be a striker.'
"But I said: 'It doesn't matter what size you are, it's what you can do that matters. I think I am like Jamie Vardy. I have speed, I like to work hard, we are similar in lots of things.
"Am I faster? I can't say yet, I have never played with him. But I am looking forward to finding out. I'm looking forward to playing with Vardy. I like his style. I think we can fit well together."
Musa says training with Leicester has been very different to what he experienced in Russia but he expects to fit in well in the English game.
"I think this is the right time for me to join Leicester. Last season, they were going after the title. This time we are starting afresh - that's why I chose to join them this season," he added.
"I'm from Nigeria and all Nigerian players would like to play in the Premier League. I think this will be a good league for me.
"The intensity here is quite different to Russia. Here it is a little bit harder, in Russia they are more laid back. I think that is the most difficult thing, but I think that is the secret behind Leicester's success.
"Everyone is focused and everyone is happy with each other. That's the biggest secret - if you're all happy with each other you can achieve a lot."
