MATCH REPORT | A PROMOTION PARTY AT TANNADICE
4th May 2024
United new boy Loick Ayina is eager to cut his teeth in the world of senior football as he awaits the moment when he dons the tangerine for the first time.
Welcoming Environment & A French Connection
The 19-year-old praised the welcoming environment which greeted him with open arms upon his arrival.
"My first few days here have been great. Everyone has been really good with me - the players and coaching staff have all been very welcoming.
"Arnaud (Djoum) has helped me a lot since I moved because he speaks French too. He’s been texting me about the city and our teammates!"
The Late Late Show
Despite being a transfer target for an extended period of time, Ayina's switch north of the border came late on deadline day, with his arrival being announced just 15 minutes before the window slammed shut.
On what must be a unique experience for any player, he remarked "The move came about very late on deadline day - I received a call from my agent saying I had to pack a few things and make the journey to Scotland.”
"I was told I would be involved with the squad the next day as we had a match against Kilmarnock so had to make the journey on short notice and ensure I would be ready to play."
Raised In The Football Cages Of Paris
Harking back to the days of his youth, the Congo-born Frenchman faced a number of challenges when it came to getting a ball at his feet, but made up for lost time when opportunities reared their head.
"Growing up, I didn’t have the chance to play football in Congo because I was too young. Then, when I moved to Paris, I found out you had to wait until you were six years of age to join a local team.
"When I reached that age, football became the only thing I was interested in. I loved playing street football in the cages around where I was raised."
Yorkshire and Familiar Faces
A predominantly right-sided defender, Ayina progressed through the ranks at Huddersfield Town - eventually being awarded the B-team's armband. A footballing education on both sides of the Channel has allowed him to develop stellar physical and technical attributes.
"I’m an aggressive defender but also someone who likes to have the ball at my feet. As a team, I like us to have control and be confident with possession.
"My coach at Huddersfield, Mark Fotheringham, told me he used to play here a few years ago. He encouraged me to come here and enjoy myself, and spoke to me about the club and the city as a whole."
Speaking to YorkshireLive, former United midfielder Fotheringham, who unfortunately departed the Championship outfit yesterday, has no doubts the starlet's time in the city of Discovery will be a success.
"There was a lot of interest in Loick from England, but Liam Fox already knew about him and, when he called to ask about taking him up the road, it was a no-brainer.
"We wouldn't have let him join just any club in Scotland. We did our homework.
Fotheringham continued "Loick is so receptive to coaching, information and ideas. He takes it all on board and plays football with a smile on his face."
“He comes from that background of fighting for everything and it has given him aggression. The hunger and fight to get himself in the first-team picture really shines through.
I know Dundee United fans will love his commitment.”
