fbpx
null null
  • Home
  • News
  • men's first team

JACOB ONDREJKA: ”I'M READY TO FACE AC MILAN”

Collecchio, 24 January 2025 –In the presence of Sporting Director Mauro Pederzoli, Jacob Ondrejka introduced himself in a press conference at the Mutti Training Centre in Collecchio today.


Mauro Pederzoli’s welcome: “I’d like to introduce Jacob Ondrejka, the Swedish player we’ve signed on a permanent deal from Antwerp. Jacob’s story with Parma is quite interesting. While it’s true that his journey with Parma is officially beginning now, it’s also true that, since I’ve been here as sporting director – and I’m now in my fourth year – Jacob has always been at the top of the list drawn up by our scouts. Two seasons ago, there were some pretty close discussions when he was still playing in Sweden. After chasing him for a long time, we can now present him as a new Parma player. For us, it’s very satisfying to see him in the Gialloblu shirt. I’m sure he will bring great joy to us and our fans.”


READY FOR SAN SIRO AND PLEASED TO BE HERE

“I played 82 minutes last week, and I’m excited and ready to play. I’ve had two training sessions, and we still need to put the finishing touches to our preparations for the match against Milan before the game on Sunday. I’m arriving at a time when there are a few difficulties and, first and foremost, I’m here to help the team on the pitch, although I also want to be a good teammate off it. I’m happy to be in Parma and can’t wait to get started.”


THE CLUB’S PHILOSOPHY ON YOUTH

“It's a positive thing that the Club believes in young players. In general, it’s important for a young player to feel the trust of the team and the club they play for, which isn’t always the case.”

Ondrejka

CREATIVITY AND ENTERTAINMENT

“I’m a creative player, which I think is my best quality. I love dribbling, and I enjoy one-on-one situations and, of course, scoring goals. But I don’t live for goals, and I always try to help the team with ‘pre-assists’, the assist to the assist. For me, it’s just about the numbers; I don’t only focus on goals and assists. I enjoy entertaining the fans on the pitch and giving my best. I try to do more than scoring goals and providing assists. In front of goal, I’d like to be more clinical and ruthless and score more. In Belgium, I was the player who took all the free-kicks; every set-pieces was mine. Therefore, in terms of crosses, the data is perhaps somewhat ‘skewed’ by this; they weren’t purely crosses. In general, I need to score more. I’ve bagged a few this season, but I know I need to and can do more.”


FROM IBRAHIMOVIC TO BROLIN

“I’ve been following Serie A for a while, especially because of Ibrahimović’s presence. Everyone in Sweden knows Serie A. Parma have had some difficulties so far, but I think we have the means to overcome them. I look to Zlatan as a point of reference and as a role model. He’s the greatest player to have ever played for the Swedish national team. My goal is to get as close as possible to what he did. I chose the number 17 because it’s a number I had at Antwerp before changing it, and it’s also the number Hazard wore at Chelsea. Like Zlatan, he’s someone I look up to. Thomas Brolin was another great Swedish player. I’ve never spoken to him in person, but I obviously know who he is. After I posted a story on Instagram announcing I’d signed, he wrote to me saying ‘Good luck, fantastic club’. That made me really happy, and I’m grateful that he wished me good luck.”

Ondrejka in conferenza stampa

POSITION

“I spoke to Pecchia straight away. I prefer to play as an attacking left winger, but I’m a very mobile attacking player, meaning I can play as a number down, down the right or as a second striker. I’m available to play in any attacking position depending on what the coach asks of me. Joining a new environment and finding someone you already know (Mandela Keita, ed.) helps, as does finding people who speak your language. Mathias (Løvik, ed.) is Norwegian, but I have no problems communicating with him. Speaking the same language is very helpful both on and off the field because, at the beginning, there are always some adjustment challenges. But I have to say that everyone here at Parma has given me a great welcome.”


DEFENSIVE WORK

“I’m a winger, so I like to attack. However, when you develop as a player in Sweden, a lot of defensive work is done, too. I was taught that the first thing you need to do is defend. Therefore, I’m ready to contribute defensively. The European Cup Winners’ Cup final between Parma and Antwerp? I know all about that match. Last summer, Parma faced Antwerp in a friendly. After the game, they honoured players who took part in that final, so I’m familiar with it.”

This site is registered on wpml.org as a development site. Switch to a production site key to remove this banner.