Brighton & Hove Albion striker Leonardo Ulloa insists he can’t wait for his Amex Stadium return when the Seagulls host West Ham United on Saturday afternoon.
The forward made his Albion return as a second-half substitute in the 1-1 draw with Southampton on Wednesday at St Mary’s, but is eager to run out in front of the home fans after leaving the club three-and-a-half years ago.
He said, “I can’t wait because I always feel really good when I play there – it feels like a home and it will be a special feeling.
“It’s amazing and the fans were so good and now I’m expecting them to be the same as they were three years ago on Saturday against West Ham.
“They gave me a great reception at Southampton, they were singing my name and they were amazing.
“That feeling is good for me – they were the same in the past and they’re great again now.
“I just want to continue to give my best and hopefully carry on my special relationship with them.”
The stalemate on the south coast left the Seagulls in 15th place in the Premier League after 25 matches, and the Argentine was satisfied with the result as well as the competition his arrival has brought.
“It’s a good point – we were ahead but every game is so difficult in this league, so we have to continue to work now and take each week at a time.
“When a new player arrives it’s always good and I just want to be good competition here in the squad.
“Everyone’s fighting for places in the starting eleven but we all want the same thing so that’s the more important thing.”
Reflecting on the contest as a whole, the striker felt his team could have held on for a victory having taken a first-half lead, but Ulloa conceded that a draw can be a good building block ahead of the weekend.
“It’s important we avoided a defeat and when you play away, it’s always tough.
“We went ahead but then they had some chances and now we feel a little sad because we could have won.
“I wanted to come and try to keep the ball but it doesn’t always happen sometimes – but we can be happy with this evening overall and now we have to look forward.”