Mbaye Diagne is determined to hit the ground running at The Hawthorns and replicate his prolific goalscoring form for Galatasaray at Albion.
The Senegal international made his debut for the Baggies in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Fulham, less than 24 hours after joining on loan until the end of the season from the Turkish giants.
Diagne netted 51 goals in 64 Turkish Super Lig games for Kasimpasa and then Galatasaray, including nine in his last eight appearances for the latter.
And the towering 29-year-old front man believes he has what it takes to score goals in a league he’s always dreamt of playing in.
Mbaye said: “I’m very happy to be here at West Bromwich Albion.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to play in the Premier League.
“I have been working hard and the possibility came about to fulfil my dream.
“I’ll give my all.
“I have known about the club’s interest in me for about three weeks now.
“I have a lot of friends who play in the Premier League. Like I said before, it’s always been a dream to play here and I’m really excited to now have that chance.
“I will push and try my hardest to make the West Bromwich Albion fans happy.
“It was a little strange to meet my team-mates so close to the game on Saturday, but they were nice to me and helped me fit in.
“It’s wasn't easy, but I gave my best against Fulham. Physically, I have no problem.
“It was my first game in the Premier League and it will take me a little while to understand how the team plays and how each of the players likes to play, as well as the tactics.
“But, football is football. It doesn’t change. I just have to try and do my job which is to score goals and play well for the team.
“I managed to score lots of goals for Galatasaray. I know the Turkish league and I have scored lots of goals in it. I’m very happy to have that record.
“I was confident that I was going to score in every game and we were going to win.
“But this is the Premier League League and it is another level. A step up.
“I want to achieve the same results and I want to keep scoring goals.
“I’m confident I can score goals here. This is me. I need to score and I need to help the team.
“If I can score goals, I can help the team. I want to help us stay in the Premier League.”
