Enciso dedicates goal to grandad

An emotional Julio Enciso dedicated his first Albion goal to his grandad.

The 19-year-old Paraguay international grabbed Albion’s second goal late on in Tuesday's 2-0 win at Bournemouth, fake shooting twice before rolling the ball past keeper Neto.

“First of all I want to thank God because he gives me strength every day along with my family, all the people who are always there for me,” he said.

“My mum and dad weren’t at the game but they are very happy. They know how hard it is to be far away in a new country learning a new language.

“It has been difficult for them as well so the goal was for them as well as a very special person for me - my grandad, who is in heaven.

“I always hope he can see me and it is all for him. When I was small I’d be playing at home and he always watched me there.

“I miss him a lot and I wish with all my soul that he could have seen the goal. I think he saw it from up there.”

Julio arrived from Paraguayan top-flight side Libertad last summer with an excellent record of 21 goals in 68 appearances.

Despite that form, Enciso insists that his first in the Premier League is the most special in his career so far.

“I’ve scored a lot of goals, but this is one you dream about when you are a kid, playing in the best league in the world. Scoring this goal is a dream which thanks to God I’ve fulfilled.

“It was an excellent pass by Pascal [Gross] which left me in front of goal and thanks to God I was able to score.”

A few minutes before his goal, Julio was involved in a coming together with Bournemouth defender Jack Stephens, which on reflection he regrets.

“When you are on the pitch you can get hot-headed, I said sorry to him afterwards. I think on the pitch you can lose it in the moment, but it was no more than that," added Enciso.

“I said sorry because I don’t think things like that are good. A lot of people are watching me, lots of kids, so it’s not a good example for them.”