The big Portsmouth statement from landmark signing Rocco Shein after exciting multi-million pound capture
The Fredrikstad FK man has given a confident and motivated assessment over being Pompey’s biggest signing since the their days in English football’s top flight.
Rocco Shein is ready to embrace the pressure of being Pompey’s most expensive signing since the Premier League era.
The multi-million pound capture insisted he sees the weight of expectation on his shoulders as a good thing, after sealing his arrival at PO4.
And Shein thanked the Fratton Faithful for their welcome they’ve afforded him, as excitement builds over the Estonia international’s capture.
The 23-year-old got his first Pompey minutes under his belt in the 1-1 pre-season draw at Bristol Rovers on Saturday.
Shein gave supporters a classy first glimpse of his quality in the middle of the park, producing calm and effective use of the ball at the Memorial Stadium.
Shein’s fee in the region of £2m is the most Pompey have shelled out for a player since paying £3m for Mike Williamson and £4m for Prince Boateng in 2009.
It puts eyes on the man from Tallinn, but that is something Shein feels he will thrive upon in the Championship.
Shein said: ‘It’s brilliant to be here. It’s been like a rollercoaster and it’s been exciting.
‘In the end the move took a long time, but now I’m here and I’m ready to perform.
‘It’s been a few weeks, but the negotiations were good and I’m happy to be here.
‘Of course the club are investing in me, so I need to perform.
‘It’s a good feeling that the club put some big money into me.
‘Maybe one day they will want to make money from me, but we will see.
‘It’s also big pressure on me, but I like that pressure.
‘So I’m going to take it really positively - it’s pressure on my shoulders but it’s good.’
Shein is now settling into his surroundings, but has already been embraced by Pompey supporters in his short period at the club.
That was apparent at Bristol Rovers, with the former Dordrecht and FC Utrecht player given a warm reception by the travelling support.
Now Shein is anticipating seeing the Fratton Faithful at full force when the season gets underway.
He added: ‘The welcome I’ve received is fantastic, I feel warmly welcomed.
‘It feels like the supporters are taking me in and it’s a family.
‘Even for the Bristol Rovers game, it’s a friendly and there’s a lot of our supporters here. It’s a different level of fans.
‘I feel like I am a good match with the manager and I’m really excited about playing at Fratton.
‘The stadium is full week in, week out and that is something I can wait to see.
‘Everyone is saying the atmosphere is the best in the Championship and the best in England, I really can’t wait.’