Club news

Andone Desperate To Make His Mark

By Kieran Cleeves • 17 September 2018

Brighton & Hove Albion striker Florin Andone admitted his eagerness to make his mark on the club’s second season in the Premier League, as he looks to work his way into the side after retuning from injury.

The Romanian played 45 minutes for Albion’s under-23s on Friday evening, and he quickly turned his attention to the club’s first team and their Premier League campaign, which he’s desperate to be part of.

He said, “We’re a very good team - very compact and a very strong team. Away from home it’s very difficult - it’s like Spain, all the away matches are very hard.

“But at home I saw the games and I’m very happy with those matches. We need to be strong and continue in this good way.

“If you are outside, you are happy because the team are doing good, but it’s a different feeling if you’re inside with the team. This feeling is much better.

“I want to be with my team-mates and be available. I’m very happy to be back and now it’s about improving every day. I need to be 100 per cent with my fitness.”

Andone has spent the beginning of his Albion career on the sidelines recovering from injury, but the 25-year-old is now happy to be back on the training field with a ball at his feet.

“When you are injured, you are not very happy because every day you think about the injury. You want to be fit and be in the squad.

“I’m in a new city and country - it hasn’t been easy because every day I think about being in the squad.

“It was hard being in the gym every day. It’s very boring and I found it very difficult. But now I’m very happy because I’ve trained with the team over the past week.

“You feel the ground and it’s a different feeling. You’re happy for training every day on the football pitch and not in the gym.”