No player from the current squad of Nottingham Forest would want to miss what, if nothing goes wrong in this final stretch of the season, will be the club's return to European competitions after more than 40 years. However, Andrew Omobamidele (Leixlip, Ireland, 2002) made the decision to step out of his comfort zone last winter transfer window and join RC Strasbourg. One of the most exciting projects in European football that, as the youngest team in Ligue 1, also dreams of playing in Europe… and even the Champions League.

Question: Last winter transfer window, you left England after playing for Norwich City and Nottingham Forest. How are you adapting to a new country like France?

Answer: Honestly, it hasn’t been as difficult as I thought. Obviously, I only played in Ireland and England, which are not far from each other. I think the culture, the players around me, and the support from the staff have helped a lot. It has really been easy to adapt to my new life here in France. The coach, besides, comes from England, so he shares similar experiences about moving to a new country. He has definitely helped me.

Question: This season at Nottingham Forest was getting tough for you due to high competition. Did you know you needed to leave the team to get playing time?

Answer: Yes, I think it’s something I knew for a while. As you said, the team is performing amazingly this season… and sometimes football is like that. Sometimes the opportunities don’t come. I knew that for me, the path and adventure I’m on, the most important thing is to play and perform well.

Question: On the other hand, Strasbourg is also a nice project full of young players looking for an opportunity. Was that one of the reasons you decided to come to Strasbourg?

Answer: Yes, definitely. I’ve seen the project, and as you said, it’s a young team, but very talented. I heard a lot of things at the beginning of the season. It’s a young team and all that. I think the guys have shown that with talent and hard work, you can see what they are doing this season. They’re putting themselves in a good position now. There are still nine games left. As I said, they’re putting themselves in a good spot to be in a good position in the table. But yes, definitely. Along with the coach, who has known me since I started playing at Norwich. So I think this connection, and his style of play, fits with the type of player I am. All of this together worked well for me.

Question: This season, several players from Strasbourg have shown great potential: Moreira, Andrey Santos, Nanasi, Emeagha… Which one surprised you the most?

Answer: Honestly, I wouldn’t say surprised. But I’d say Andrey (Santos), because we were together at Nottingham Forest. He didn’t play much there, but I obviously knew from training what kind of player he was. I think we all know now how good he is. I’m not surprised he’s doing so well, but it’s good to see it. It also shows his mental strength. He wasn’t playing much, then he came here… and showed what kind of player he is.

Question: Do you think he is ready to go back to Chelsea?

Answer: Yes. Honestly, I think Andrey Santos is ready for any of the next challenges he will face in his career. I think he will do well. He’s a good player and a good person too.

Question: 20 years ago, Strasbourg was playing in the Third Division, and now you’re fighting to get into Europe with the youngest squad in Ligue 1. What’s the secret?

Question: If you ask me, I think it’s the closeness we have. The first time I came here, I felt how close everyone is. Every player, the guys who start as regulars, or maybe the guys who don’t play as much, it’s the same. Everyone talks to each other. You can see the intensity in the training sessions. If something isn’t right, people tell each other. For me, it was surprising because you’d think you could only get this with a team of older players. If the training isn’t good, the older players would say it needs to be better. For me, coming here and seeing this in most of the players, who are the same age as me, was really good. It just makes the team’s level better. I think, in the end, we all have the same goals. Every player has their own goals and wants to be something in their career. We all help each other to reach those goals. I think staying together and this camaraderie is the most important thing.

Question: Your start at Strasbourg hasn’t been easy because, when you were starting to get into the team, you suffered an injury. I imagine your main goal is to recover quickly so you can take full advantage of this loan and help Strasbourg achieve its goals.

Answer: Definitely. As you said, I had played three or four games, I was enjoying playing and fighting with the team. It’s football, that happens. I came from not playing for five months, so these things sometimes happen. My main goal now is to make sure my injury is right, that it’s healed, and to get back to playing so I can help as much as I can in any way to achieve what we want to accomplish.

Question: In principle, next summer you should return to Nottingham Forest, where players like Murillo could leave after having a great season. However, Strasbourg has an option to buy for you to stay. Have you decided where you want to be next season?

Answer: I haven’t looked beyond this summer, even though it’s getting close. My main goal now is to do the best I can here, and we’ll see what happens in the summer when we have to face the situation.