Pérez Proud To Be Part Of Leicester Family
Pérez, 25, made the move from Newcastle United on a four-year deal, becoming City’s second signing of the summer following the arrival of James Justin from Luton Town last week.
The Club’s plans to continue its growth, as well as the opportunity to work alongside manager Brendan Rodgers and a crop of high-quality players, were encouraging signs for the Spaniard.
“I’m very happy and very pleased,” said Pérez of his arrival. “I’m very proud to be part of the Leicester family and I can’t wait to get started.
“[I like] the ambition of the Club. They want to keep growing as much as they can and that’s something I liked. I spoke with the manager (Brendan Rodgers) – that was an important fact. That made me feel very comfortable about the decision to come here.
“He’s such a great manager. We all know what we can do playing under him. Obviously, he’s been a big part of the deal, to make the decision, and in this case, to come to Leicester.”
Pérez Lays Out His City Targets
Ayoze Pérez speaks exclusively to LCFC TV for the first time following his transfer from Newcastle United.
His five seasons in the North East saw him score 48 times for the Magpies in all competitions, helping them gain promotion to the Premier League in 2017, as well as winning Newcastle’s Goal of the Season award on three separate occasions.
He said: “It’s been a great experience. Obviously, Newcastle [helped] me make my dream come true – to be able to play in the Premier League.
“It’s been five years, a lot of experiences and growth as well. I’m happy to be able to keep playing in the Premier League for such a great club like Leicester. I’m very proud to be here.”
Following a several days of training at Belvoir Drive, Pérez will then join the first team squad for a six-day trip to Évian-les-Bains, where he says he will be able to develop relationships with his new team-mates.
“They are big players and I can’t wait to start playing next to them, and know them as well,” said Pérez. “I can’t wait to start training and start knowing each other.
“Those kinds of trips are very important for new signings and new players. It’s going to be great for myself to know my team-mates, to train as well.
“It’s going to be a great week, a lot of hard work, but the most important [thing] is to start knowing each other.”
Pérez says his individual aim is to improve on the 13 goals he scored for Newcastle last season, which included a brace against Everton and a hat-trick versus Southampton.
“Obviously, as a collective, we have to keep looking forward to try to get into the European positions,” he said. “That’s the ambition, that’s where we have to think.
“Individually, as a striker, I have to help the team as much as I can with goals. That’s my main target.
“If I can get more goals than I did last season, that’s the way I think. I always [try] to get better in numbers, that would be great for us. Hopefully, I can do it.”
The prospect of making his debut at King Power Stadium is one that he is very much looking forward to, having already scored twice on Filbert Way for his former side during the previous two seasons.
“I can’t wait until that day comes,” said Pérez when asked about his Filbert Way bow. “It’s a great stadium and obviously I’ve played a couple of times here.
“I know the environment and hopefully, this time, I can score a goal, but this time for Leicester! Hopefully, there are many to come.”