Valentin Jospeh signed for Albion in the summer (Image: BHAFC)
Valentin Jospeh signed for Albion in the summer (Image: BHAFC)
Valentin Joseph wants to bring pace, power and goals to Albion and make his senior debut.
And he believes the pathway to success will be there for him with his new club if he can deliver.
The 18-year-old striker from the North West is up and running with the Seagulls’ academy after a summer switch from Blackburn Rovers on a three-year deal.
Joseph was top scorer in the FA Youth Cup last season and was closing in on a senior debut.
However, having figured in matchday squads for the Championship, he opted to make the long trip south over the summer.
His first start for the Seagulls’ under-21s came in the Sussex Transport Senior Cup tie at Haywards Heath.
Joseph said: “I have settled in very well. All the boys made me a welcome and I'm just happy to be here now and finally playing.
“I've been around the first team (at Blackburn) but I haven't made my debut yet so hopefully I'll make my debut here.
“I feel like the pathway here is better than Blackburn’s and I just want to develop and hopefully become a professional footballer.
“I just feel like I could develop more here as a player technically and I'm happy to be here.”
Asked what was different with his new club, Joseph said: “Small details tactically and on the ball and stuff like that.
“The manager (at Blackburn) was really close to me. He spoke to me a lot, gave me rough ideas what he wanted from me and he obviously helped me as a player.
“But I moved on. I wanted to experience something new.
"They promised me that I'd become better. They promised me if I came here, put my head down, I will get opportunities with the first team. And I’m just waiting to get my opportunity."
Asked who had gven that recommendation, Joseph said: "Just my agent, obviously. He was like there's a number of people that were in for me so, I felt like it was the right decision to come."
Joseph has an imposing physical presence and, asked what he can offer, said: “Pace, power, and obviously, goals.”
The answers are delivered in a Mancunian accent to which we became familiar when talking to former Albion striker Danny Welbeck.
Joseph said: “Yes, obviously, I want to follow his footsteps as well.”
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But that means he has come from a city where the competition between young footballers is intense.
Not that he supported either City or United as a boy, admitting he was rather keener on Liverpool.
He added: “Obviously the competition is very high in Manchester.
“There's lots of good players from City and United, going to my school, so I'm just happy to be from Manchester.”