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In this week’s episode of the African Stars in the Bundesliga, we caught up with Cameroon International and 1. Fußball-und Sportverein Mainz 05 e. V. (1. FSV Mainz 05)’s central Midfielder Pierre Kunde Malong who shared with the reason he left Spanish Primera Liga side, Granada, for Die Nullfünfer.
Kunde Malong says one of the reasons he joined the Bundesliga side was because of his physical build that fits in the league.
Well, first of all, I think my characteristics fit the Bundesliga well – I am a physical player. You know in Germany, in the Bundesliga, you have a lot of physical players, you run a lot, and there are many box-to-box players.
Pierre Kunde Malong challenges Hoffenheims Hoffenheim’s Steven Zuber during one of the Bundesliga matchdays | Courtesy of dpa
Malong says he also needed a change after spending almost 7 seasons in La Liga and intimated that he has found new love with the German fans during the games.
I needed a change. I had been in Spain for around seven years so I needed a change. Coming to Bundesliga was a great decision, coming to somewhere where you like the competition, you like football, you like the way the fans are here every weekend – I think the change was good for me.
The Limbe born 24-year-old midfielder believes he needed to play in an environment where he feels comfortable.
And I came here to grow as a footballer, play somewhere you feel comfortable, and so far I’m loving it!
Pierre Kunde Malong joined Mainz on a four-year deal worth 7.5 million euros on 6 July 2018 where he has already featured in more than 40-games, scoring 2-goals. He has was also named in the Bundesliga’s team of the week on matchday 7.
Malong was at Atletico Madrid’s academy from the youth stages playing in the U17 team but found first-team opportunities at a senior level hard to come by before moving to FC Granada, where he scored five goals in 38 competitive matches.
