Ghanaian midfielder Hamza Elias says heââ¬â¢s adapting to life well at Canadian side Ottawa Fury.
Coach Dos Santos has described the talented 20-year-old as ââ¬Ëa projectââ¬â¢ because of his natural talent and youth.
He found him through a friend who scouts for Chelsea, fully recognizing that it could take some time for Elias to adapt to a different style of game and a dramatically different culture.
ââ¬ÅIt is very different from Ghana, especially the weather,â⬠said Elias, who had never been out of his country before taking the whirlwind series of flights from à Ghanaââ¬â¢s capital, Accra, to Frankfurt, then Toronto, then Ottawa in March.
ââ¬ÅThis is the first time in this kind of weather. I have to learn with every situation, but Iââ¬â¢m very happy to be here.
ââ¬ÅI knew (Canada) was very good country to be in, a very peaceful country. I always wanted to come here when I was a child.ââ¬
ââ¬ÅI know how to dress for the snow,â⬠he said, smiling. ââ¬ÅIt is first time seeing snow, but itââ¬â¢s a good experience for me. You have to be happy with every situation you are in.
"I like everything here. Soon, I will be used to it here. If you are a footballer, you meet all of these people.
"You come to (new) countries and maybe you canââ¬â¢t speak English (perfectly), but you listen. And the football language is the same. Itââ¬â¢s okay. Iââ¬â¢m ready to work.ââ¬