Larin: Playing in England has “always been an itch”
Cyle Larin is relishing the opportunity to scratch an itch by playing in England for the first time in his well-travelled career.
The 30-year-old striker has already played in six different countries – Canada, USA, Turkey, Belgium, Spain and Netherlands – but the missing piece of the puzzle has been found by signing on loan for the remainder of the season with Southampton.
Now Larin is determined to help Saints bridge the seven-point gap to the Championship play-offs in a bid to return to the Premier League, where he feels the club belongs.
“When I think of Southampton I think of the Premier League,” he said. “Southampton is a big club, I’ve always wanted to play in England and Southampton gives me that opportunity. I think I can bring a lot to Southampton. I know a lot of good strikers have played here before.
“I’ve adapted to different cultures, to different people, and got experience in that way, but I’ve always felt I would play in England. I think this is the right step, for me to go to Southampton.
“It’s always been an itch. I just think the style of play, the way of football in England is something I’ve always wanted to live and breathe.”
Larin has played as a winger in the past, but confirmed he sees himself as a centre-forward intent on scoring goals.
“Overall my favourite position is 9. I can play other positions, adapt well and move around the field, but when I’ve done my best and scored goals, it was at number 9,” he said.
“But from playing that position I can move around the pitch, so I think it’s something that helps me in the game, that I don’t have to stay down the middle – I can move to the left to score goals from the left.
“I just think I’m a player who loves to get chances in the box and I think you have players at Southampton who can get me the ball, and I’m very direct when I want the ball and where I want it.”
With 30 international goals to his name in 87 caps, Larin is Canada’s third most-capped player and second-highest scorer of all time, and is determined to showcase his best form for Saints ahead of this summer’s World Cup on home soil.
“It’s always been important for me in my career to play regularly and get those minutes under me regularly. When I’ve done that, that’s when I’ve been at my best and scoring goals,” he added.
“I think this year especially is very important for me to play and to be scoring goals and have that consistency going into a World Cup. Every player dreams of playing at home in a World Cup in front of their family and in front of the home crowd, so it’s a very special time.”
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