Aliou Deng in Focus: Get to Know Valencia CF's New Signing

Valencia CF's new signing, Aliou Dieng, spoke to VCF Media about a wide range of professional and personal topics. Get to know the Malian midfielder in depth here:

Joining Valencia CF

“I’m very happy to be here and to be a Valencia CF player. It means a great deal to me. Everyone has welcomed me warmly and made me feel at home from the very beginning, which has been fantastic. It’s a big help in allowing me to adapt very quickly.”

First training session

“It was a great day for me and I really enjoyed it. I was happy to work with the group, and I’m very happy to be with them.”

Valencia

“It’s similar to Egypt. It’s hot and the temperature is much the same.”

Personal qualities

“I’m respectful, I always give everything for the team, and I constantly want to improve. I hope to keep progressing and I’ll give my very best every day, both in training and in matches.”

Physical strength

“Yes, like any other player, you can’t expect to become a great footballer if you’re not physically strong enough.”

Nickname for his physical presence

“In Egypt they used to call me ‘Dabbaba,’ which means ‘tank.’ I’ve been called that very often.”

LALIGA

“It’s one of the biggest leagues in the world, and that’s a huge step forward. I can only thank God because not everyone gets the opportunity to play in this competition.”

Valencia CF role models

“When I watched the team, they were always exciting to watch. David Silva, of course, Seydou Keita, Momo Sissoko, and there were several others I’m forgetting.”

The team

“We have to stay humble, work hard and, most importantly, listen carefully to the coach. I hope that this year we’ll work well together and make our supporters very proud.”

Carlos Corberán

“He expects a lot from me, and I hope I can live up to what he asks of me.”

Daily life

“My friends tell me my daily routine is very boring because I’m always at home with my family and don’t do much else. Training, home, training, home. I enjoy my holidays, but during the season I’m always fully focused on football.”

The importance of family

“Family comes first, before anything else. It’s very important, so you have to stay close to them. My two children are twins and they’ll turn three on September 23. They’re happy and proud that I’m here, and now it’s up to me to make them even prouder every day through my work.”

Speaking Spanish

“I know a few words in Spanish: ‘aquí’ (here), ‘solo’ (only), ‘como’ (like/how), and ‘vamos’ (let’s go).”

Nou Mestalla

“It’s going to be different because it means changing our home, but it’s a great initiative. We’ll make the most of the opportunities ahead of us and give our very best in our new stadium.”

Message to the fans

“I’m very proud to be here and to represent Valencia CF. The fans are extremely important to us. We’ll give our very best for them every single day, and we hope to make them proud. Amunt Valencia!”