Simon Adingra once dreamed of following Ivorian heroes including Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure into the Premier League and on Saturday that dream became reality.
The speedy 21-year-old, signed from Nordsjaelland of Denmark 14 months ago, made his Albion debut as a substitute against Luton Town at the Amex and scored the third goal in a 4-1 victory.
“I remember watching Didier Drogba when I was small and I started believing that one day I could play in the Premier League,” he said.
“Drogba, Toure, they are the people we used to watch a lot, so being part of this is a dream come true and I’m happy.” But there is no player he particularly wants to emulate. “I want to make my own name as Adingra so I’m following my path.”
Simon was loaned out to Union Saintt-Gilloise of Belgium soon after signing. One of his first games for his new club was an impressive outing in a behind-closed-doors friendly against the Albion at the American Express Elite Performance Centre.
As well as appearing regularly in Union’s Belgian League games, he also featured against Malmo, Sporting Braga, Union Berlin and Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League - which gave him valuable experience ahead of Albion’s debut in the competition next month. He appeared as a striker as well as in his usual position on the left.
“The loan was a good step for me to get experience and play many games,” he said. “We had a very good team in the dressing room and outside it too.
“I’m a left winger really but I’m able to play both. So if there’s an opportunity for me, it’s good if I can play right and left. I’ll have more chance to play.
"Last season was my first to play as a striker. I learned as a player you need to be able to play everywhere to give yourself more chances to play. Playing Europa League boosted my confidence that I could come here and show what I could do. I’m really excited. I can’t wait to play Europa League again.”
His two-goal performance for Albion in the summer season friendly against Brentford in Atlanta showed early signs of promise and the Amex crowd were impressed by what he brought to the side after replacing Solly March after 74 minutes of the Luton game, pouncing on a slip by the Hatters’ midfielder Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu and lashing a volley past goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski.
“My performances that I showed in games in pre-season made me feel I could play a big part,” he said. “I’m feeling very good. The debut and the goal were a big thing for me and I’m so happy. I think I was around him [Mpanzu] and didn’t think twice, just put the ball in the goal. Of course the Premier League is the highest league in the world so for sure there was a big difference. The physical side is higher.”
He was hoping for a second goal, but teammate Evan Ferguson beat him to Pervis Estupinan’s inviting low cross to net Albion’s fourth. “Yes, I was there close by but hopefully next time. Hopefully we can follow that in our next game and win again. That is the target. And also for the club, to do more than last season.”
Simon wants to play as full a part as possible but knows that he may have to bide his time with plenty of competition for various attacking roles. “First of all I’m new in the team so I just have to be focused and ready whenever [Roberto De Zerbi] gives me my chance, to be ready to play,” he said. “For sure I have ambition, I want to be one of the best to play in my position. I have to be patient and be ready any time."