Freed, delivered, he will never return again. This winter, Hugo Ekitike left Paris Saint-Germain in the form of a loan with an option to buy. But this is easily attainable. A new start for the French striker who has experienced complicated times in recent months. After an honorable first year (4 goals, 4 assists in 32 appearances in all competitions, including 14 starts), he was definitively bought by PSG. An operation worth 35 million euros in total. But quickly, Luis Enrique and Luis Campos showed him the exit door. Sent to the loft after the Asian tour, he spoke with certain clubs including Eintracht Frankfurt.
Paris’ idea was to include the former Reims player (1 appearance against Lorient on August 12) in the Randal Kolo Muani operation. But Ekitike refused. Discussions continued between all parties and ultimately, the 21-year-old remained in Paris, where he participated in training without playing any matches. Placarded, the young player continued to work while waiting for a door to open in the winter transfer window. While we thought he would leave quickly, especially since there was no shortage of suitors (Wolverhampton, Crystal Palace, West Ham, Wolfsburg, Brentford), he had to wait until the last day of the winter transfer market to sign in Frankfurt therefore.
Ekitike looks back on its transfer windows
Having entered the game for 14 minutes against Cologne on February 3, Ekitike needs time to find rhythm. What he also explained this Wednesday during his introductory press conference. “I want to have fun again and have fun on the pitch (…) I want to get into the rhythm, learn from my colleagues and adapt to the intensity of the German championship. It’s the coach who will decide whether I start or not. I try to prepare as best as I can and be there when the team needs me (…) I see myself as a striker who plays the game and at the same time looks for depth and creates links between his teammates. I move a lot in spaces, I like to dribble and provide assists as well as goals.
He also spoke about his arrival in the German club as well as the many twists and turns. “During the summer, it was my agent and more the Paris club who spoke with Frankfurt. But I had heard about Frankfurt’s interest. Unfortunately there was not enough time and contact with the club for me to come. And after a good preseason with Paris, at that time, for me, the goal was to continue my momentum with Paris and why not gain a place. Now I am here and looking forward to the future (…) The decision to join Frankfurt was made quickly. There was already mutual interest this summer. I know the club, the successes like the victory in the Europa League and certain players who have developed very well here. This is the right step.”
He talks about his complicated time at PSG
The one he experienced at PSG taught him things. “It all depends on how you take things. For some it can be complicated. I take it in a pretty good way, it’s what pushes me to be better every day. It didn’t work in Paris, it’s part of a career, of choices, of certain things that happen. My time in Paris was a lesson for me, a learning experience alongside great players. Coming here is the right choice. The most important thing is to be able to express myself and show everything I learned in Paris over a year and a half.” There, he was able to learn alongside great players, who did not hesitate to advise him.
“When Randal was there and I started talking with the club, he told me about the club. He told me very good things about the club, the environment, the city, the fans, only positive things. These are things that depend on choice, even if I was already sure (…) Thanks to my contact with Kylian Mbappé, I became a better person and a better footballer because I was able to learn a lot of things. He gave me lots of advice to help me improve and recommended I take the next step now.” It is therefore in the Bundesliga that he will try to get back on track with his career and try to bring his many qualities to the table. The PSG page is now turned for Hugo Ekitike.
