Sergiño Dest made the switch from Ajax to Barcelona in the past transfer period. The purchase of a minimum of 21.23 million euros and a maximum of 26.23 million euros already made its debut as a substitute against Sevilla (1-1) a few days after his arrival. Looking back on his first days at his new club, the ex-Ajax player says that a lot of emotion was involved and that he is looking forward to developing himself under the wing of trainer Ronald Koeman and his new teammates.

Erik ten Hag would have liked to keep Dest at Ajax, but the club management nevertheless contributed to a transfer to Barcelona. A dream came true for the nineteen-year-old fullback. “The first days it didn’t really dawn on me. But when I look back now, I’m like: Wow, I play for Barcelona! It went very quickly, ”Dest tells the American media. “Now that I see all the photos and videos I realize and that feels great. It was and is very emotional. I feel a certain pressure in a good way, not a bad way. ”

Dest made his debut against Sevilla and became the first American in the Barcelona main force. Fifteen minutes before the end, he came into the ljinen in the Camp Nou as a replacement for the injured Jordi Alba. “I am very proud of that and I want to make something beautiful out of it here. I don’t just want to be the first, I also want to be the first American here to actually achieve something great at this club. I want to achieve great things with Barcelona and I will work hard for that ”, says Dest.

At Barcelona Dest will play under Koeman, the trainer who wanted him as national coach for Orange. The talent chose an international career with the United States over the Dutch national team. “That wasn’t uncomfortable at all,” explains Dest. “At the time, I had to choose between the Netherlands and America. I honestly told him that I did not want to play for the Netherlands and that I would rather continue to play for the national team of the United States. It’s not his fault, our relationship has remained good. After a while he called my agent and asked if I wanted to play here. Without a doubt I wanted to play for this wonderful club. Then we saw each other again and it felt very natural. ”

Dest only played 38 games in the main force of Ajax before making the move to Barcelona. The defender realizes that it is a risk to take such a big step so quickly, but he expects to be able to develop well in Catalonia. “I know a lot of people say I should have waited another year to develop myself, but I like challenges,” said Dest. “I think I will develop myself through this step, because here I experience what I will have to work hardest on. It is a big challenge and playing with the best players in the world motivates me to keep improving. ”

“I have always dreamed of this,” continues Dest, who refused a transfer to Bayern Munich. “Now that I have had the opportunity to play for a big club like Barcelona, ​​I have to grab it with both hands. It’s a really good team, so I think I can learn a lot from my teammates. Here I play with Messi, the best player in the world. If you live in Spain it is easier to learn Spanish. It’s the same with football: if I play with the best players, it is easier to develop myself. ” After the international period, Barcelona will visit Getafe, after which the group stage of the Champions League starts. Barça starts at home against the Hungarian Ferencváros, after which the squatter against Real Madrid is scheduled for October 24 at 4 p.m.