Boulahrouz pride after joining Sevilla
Friday, July 13, 2007
Article summary
Dutch international defender Khalid Boulahrouz said it was an "honour" to join UEFA Cup holders Sevilla FC after sealing a season-long loan deal from Chelsea FC.
Article body
Dutch international defender Khalid Boulahrouz said it was an "honour" to join Sevilla FC after sealing a season-long loan switch from Chelsea FC, with the Spanish side having the option to buy in the future.
'Important step'
The 25-year-old decided it was time to move on after just 12 months at Stamford Bridge following his estimated €12m move from Hamburger SV last summer. A combination of injury and loss of form limited him to just 13 Premier League appearances, influencing his decision to move to Spain. "I know Sevilla and I know how they play and because of that it's an honour for me to come here," said Boulahrouz, who has won 19 international caps. "I didn't play enough games there [at Chelsea] and I want put that right here and give my all to Sevilla. This is an important step in my career."
'Cannibal'
It is a hunger that befits a man with the nickname "the cannibal", though the former RKC Waalwijk defender was keen to provide a different explanation. "Some years ago when I was doing a press conference in Germany I forgot how to say a word so instead, I used a word that in Dutch means 'eat'," Boulahrouz explained. "The next day all of the press were calling me 'Cannibal'. I would have preferred a different nickname but this one has stuck." He may not have to wait long to make a name for himself at UEFA Cup holders Sevilla, who have a busy start to the season with the Spanish Super Cup, UEFA Champions League third round qualifier and UEFA Super Cup all coming up before September.