New signing Ganso was presented to the press by Amiens SC on Friday, the Brazil midfielder explaining how he hopes his latest move will get him back on track and playing his best football.
Attacking midfielder Ganso, signed by Amiens SC on a season-long loan from Sevilla, explained the reasons behind the transfer that surprised many and delighted all the club's fans.
"I chose Amiens because I wanted to play in the French league, which is very technical, and in order to get more game time," explained the 28-year-old as he was presented to a press room packed with French and international journalists.
The club noted on its website that "never in the past have so many journalists from France but also, understandably, Brazil made the trip here for the presentation of a new player" - a sign that Ganso's arrival is a real event both for Amiens SC and Ligue 1 Conforama.
'Not a marketing or media stunt'
Trained at Santos in Brazil, where he was a teammate of Neymar Jr, Paulo Henrique Ganso saw his rise to prominence hindered by a string of injuries. He played just 28 matches (seven goals) over the last two seasons with Sevilla after four successful seasons with Sao Paulo FC.
"It made me sad as I had expected to play more," Ganso admitted. "Here, I think that there will be less pressure and more game time. I'm proud and happy to have been welcomed into this new family. I will give my all in order to grow, both on and off the pitch."
Meanwhile club president Bernard Joannin was equally optimistic: "I hope that we will be able to repay his confidence in us, as I'm sure that he will do the same. We will all work hard to make sure his time here is a real success."
Meanwhile, Amiens' chief scout John Williams, who organised the loan, which comes with an option to buy, in the final hours of the transfer window, insisted that loan "is not a marketing or media stunt. The only motivation was to bolster the club's current squad."
Once considered a prodigy in his native Brazil, Ganso has eight senior caps to his name, but - despite being part of the Seleção squad for the Copa America in 2016 - hasn't worn the yellow shirt since way back in 2012. He could make his debut for Amiens on 15 September in the Week 5 clash with LOSC, but coach Christophe Pélissier proved prudent and would not be drawn on whether Ganso will appear in that clash.
