First interview: Borja Mayoral on his new challenge!

Borja Mayoral is the newest member of the Roma family.

The Spanish forward, 23, completed his move to the Giallorossi on Friday evening – joining on an initial two-year loan deal.

He won’t be among the matchday squad to face Udinese on Saturday – but the striker cannot wait to get going with his new teammates in the Italian capital.

“I'm really pleased to be here,” Mayoral told asroma.com.

“It's been an intense few days but I'm here now and I can't wait to get started.”

Why did you choose to come to Roma?

“I don't think Roma needs any introductions. This is a massive club with lots of history. I'm really excited to be representing this club.

“The club showed they really wanted to sign me, which is why I'm here. I spoke to the coach and the general director and they showed a lot of faith in me, so I'm delighted to be here.”

You said you've spoken to Paulo Fonseca. What did he say to you?

“He called me and told me he was very interested in me. He told me he'd been aware of me for a long time and said he'd like me to join. He said he thinks I'm a young player with great prospects and that I can bring a lot to the team.

“Once I'd spoken to the coach I did everything I could to join as soon as I could.”

Zinedine Zidane has said that you have the ability to score every time you shoot. Is that your biggest strength?

“Yes, I see myself as a goal-scorer but I can also operate outside of the box. I can help my team-mates to play better. I'm a team player, a hard worker.

“I want to work hard to earn a place in the team and help the team to achieve its targets. It's a new challenge but a really exciting one.

“Serie A is really progressing. I've joined a big club and I'm sure I'm going to learn a lot about Italian football. The defenders here are hard to play against but that will make me improve and become a better player.”

This isn't your first experience abroad as you've already played for Wolfsburg in Germany. You were very young at the time, but how much did you progress as a result?

“I progressed a lot - because I was only 19 when I went there and I was joining a big Bundesliga club. I was lucky enough to play with Mario Gomez, who is a legend there. I'm a completely different player now and I've matured a lot. I've got experience of playing in La Liga, at Real Madrid and a two-year stint in the top flight at Levante.

“I progressed a lot as a player as a result. I think I have more experience now. I'm not the young lad I was when I joined Wolfsburg. This is a big challenge for me and I'm delighted to be here. I can't wait to start playing.”

There are already four Spaniards in the Roma squad. Have you spoken to any of them?

“Yeah, it's really nice that there are other Spanish players here because there weren't any at Wolfsburg, although lots of the guys did speak Spanish. I think it's a good thing because I'll have people to support me.

“I know them all, but I'm closest with Pedro. We were on holiday together in Tenerife, I've known him for years. I've been speaking to him on WhatsApp so I'm sure I'm going to get on well with him and the other Spaniards.”

Do you have a message for the Roma fans?

“I'll give everything I have for this club. I'm grateful to the club for the effort they've made to sign me and for the faith they're showing in me.

“I hope we can have a great season. I'll do everything I can to help the team and give everything I have for the shirt. And hopefully we can see the fans at the stadium soon!”