New Montpellier striker Akor Adams has expressed his admiration for former Nigerian international John Utaka, who holds a prominent place in the history of the French club, Soccernet.ng reports.
Utaka was present during Adams’ signing from Norway’s Lillestrøm to Montpellier earlier in the week.
At the press conference held on Friday, Adams was questioned about his knowledge of Utaka’s legacy and influence on the club.
Adams disclosed that he had conversed with Utaka a couple of weeks before finalising his move to Montpellier, highlighting the esteem he holds for the retired Super Eagles winger.
Adams stated, “John (Utaka) was a legend for the national team; I watched him play on TV.”
He also credited Utaka for the crucial goals that secured Montpellier’s national title, further emphasising the impact Utaka had on his decision to join the club.
“I spoke to him two weeks before my arrival, and he explained to me that it was a family club, and that confirmed my desire to come here,” Adams added.
Seen as the potential successor to standout Montpellier striker Elye Wahi, Adams is tasked with filling Wahi’s shoes after the latter’s impressive performance, netting 19 goals and clinching the Ligue 1 Goal of the Year last season.
Reports suggest that Wahi might be heading towards a move to Chelsea or Tottenham as the two Premier League giants show interest in signing the 20-year-old French youth international.
When asked about the expectations of stepping into Wahi’s role, Adams maintained a composed stance, stating, “I don’t feel any pressure compared to Elye, he’s an excellent player, and I’ve seen videos of him.
“I don’t compare myself to him; I don’t come to take his place. I am confident in my abilities. In Norway, I was already replacing someone who scored a lot of goals.”
A formidable presence in the opposition’s penalty area, Adams notched up an impressive 15 goals and two assists in just 15 Eliteserien matches for Lillestrøm this year.
Montpellier secured Adams’ talents with a €4.50 million transfer fee, signifying their investment in the former Flying Eagles star.