Joao Gomes has been speaking about his decision to join Wolves earlier this year – and offered two key reasons.
The Brazilian came to Molineux at the start of the calendar year in a £15 million move from Flamengo.
Since joining, Gomes has really impressed the majority of Wolves fans. His aggression and tenacity in the midfield have been great to watch.
Watching Gomes play, it is clear he feels very lucky to be playing in the Premier League.
The player has given an interview with The Athletic and it is suggested that he was living the dream in Rio de Janeiro.
But ultimately, the opportunity to join Wolves was simply too good to pass up.
Joao Gomes explains why he made move to Wolves over Lyon
There was a point when Gomes’ proposed move to Wolves looked to be in some jeopardy.
French club Lyon actually came in with a higher offer than Wolves and Flamengo were understandably trying to push the player to the higher bidder.
But Gomes put his foot down, a stand-off ensued, and Wolves got their man in the end.
On why he wanted the move to Wolves so much, Gomes offered two reasons. He said: “I said I wanted to join Wolves because of the warmth the fans had shown me and because I wanted the chance to play in the Premier League.”
During the stand-off, Wolves fans launched the viral social media campaign #FreeJoaoGomes, and Gomes says this was a factor in his decision.
“That reception from the supporters really shaped my decision and made me want to come here,” Gomes added. “It was a really special thing for me. I had never experienced anything like it. It was the first time I felt like a star. When I saw the campaign, I truly felt like those fans were counting on me. It was marvellous.”
Fan power came through for Wolves over Gomes
It’s nice to hear Gomes talking up the role of the Wolves fans in his move to the club.
It was quite something to see how much traction the #FreeJoaoGomes campaign got and clearly, it really touched him.
Gomes has been praised for effectively forcing his move to Wolves. Matt Hobbs did say that without his stance, a move may never have come to fruition.
But perhaps that stance may not have been so firm had it not been for the Wolves fans.