“I can’t wait to get started“

In the end it all happened very quickly. This morning Marko Grujic landed in Berlin, and after the obligatory medical and other formalities the Serbian international is now a Hertha player. In an interview with herthabsc.de, the 22-year-old spoke about his transfer to Berlin, his expectations and his constructive conversations with Michael Preetz and Pál Dárdai.

Herthabsc.de: Welcome to Berlin, Marko! Please tell us what made you sign for Hertha?

Grujic: I liked the idea of moving to Berlin during the first phone call. I had a look at the squad and think it’s very good, especially as the club has a lot of tradition and a very long history. I’m looking forward to the challenges of the upcoming season with my new club.

Herthabsc.de: In the end, your transfer seemed to go through fairly quickly...

Grujic: Yes, it only took a few days. Both clubs agreed on it quickly and we had the same ideas. I can’t wait to get started and join the lads on the pitch. As soon as the coach needs me I’m ready to give it my all and prosper with the team.

Herthabsc.de: For those who don’t know you very well, what kind of player are you?

Grujic: I can play as a defensive midfielder, but I also really enjoy playing as a box-to-box midfielder. I can play in an attacking or defensive role, but I want to help out in whatever position the coach needs me to play.

Herthabsc.de: What do you think your strengths are?

Grujic: In England I worked on my defensive capabilities a lot, while previously in Serbia I played more offensively as an attacking midfielder. In that role, I always tried to create goalscoring opportunities for my teammates and set them up. I’m more the provider, but at the same time, who doesn’t enjoy scoring goals themselves? (laughs)

Herthabsc.de: Two years ago, Allan Souza was at Hertha, having come from Liverpool like you. Did you ask him about his time here?

Grujic: I wasn’t able to speak with Allan because he was busy playing in Frankfurt. But I’m someone who’s very interested in football, and I’ve been watching it on TV for years, whenever I have the time. Therefore, I know the Bundesliga and Hertha very well. The standard of the Bundesliga is very high and the games are mostly very exciting, which is why I always enjoyed watching them.

Herthabsc.de: Did you find out anything more elsewhere?

Grujic: I spoke with my German teammates at Liverpool about Hertha, such as Joel Matip and Loris Karius. All of them spoke very highly about Hertha and the Bundesliga, which helped me to decide.

Herthabsc.de: What do you already know about your new teammates?

Grujic: I don’t know any of the players personally, but I recognise a lot of the names. I know that we have a lot of young players who are developing here very well. Combining them with a few experienced lads who lead the team is a very good mix in my eyes, and will hopefully be something that’s also good for my own development.

Herthabsc.de: Are you looking forward to meeting anyone in particular?

Grujic: I remember Hoffenheim’s successful season where Vedad Ibisevic couldn’t stop scoring in the first half of the year. As a footballer, he’s proved his quality over the years. He also comes from the Balkans like myself and we speak the same language, so he can probably help me off the pitch.

Herthabsc.de: What have you set as a season target for both you and the whole team?

Grujic: Our team is very strong, so of course our aim is to do the best that we can. If everything goes well, we can perhaps even be fighting for Europe. I’d like to show in the next few weeks that I’m an option and I’d like to play. Of course I’d like to be successful over the whole season and improve with the team.

Herthabsc.de: Do you know anything about your new home?

Grujic: I’d never been to Berlin before I moved here, but I have heard very good things about it. I know that Berlin is the biggest city in Germany and that it has an incredibly important history as well as a lot of culture. I’ll be using my days off to get to know the place.

Herthabsc.de: The cup game at Braunschweig will come too soon for you. How will you be cheering the guys on?

Grujic: The Braunschweig match will be a very important game for us, and we want to win by all means. The plan for Monday is that I’ll travel with the team and support. I’ll be a fan in the stands for this game, but hopefully in the next round I’ll be on the pitch.