Steven Caulker | The First Interview
Steven Caulker speaks to Latics TV after signing a deal until the end of the 2022/23 Championship campaign
- Steven Caulker | The First Interview
- Sierra Leone international captain speaks to Latics TV after signing for the remainder of the 2022/23 Championship campaign
- Caulker: “The manager played a key part in myself coming here. I’m an experienced player and I’ve had 14-15 seasons under my belt, and for me, the most important thing is mutual respect with the manager.”
Steven Caulker has expressed his desire to repay Latics manager Kolo Touré’s faith after he became the Club’s first signing of the January Transfer Window.
Caulker, 31, has joined Latics following a four-year spell in Turkey, putting pen to paper on an initial deal that runs until the end of the 2022/23 Championship campaign.
Speaking to Latics TV, Caulker revealed his excitement to be back playing in the second tier of English football, in a challenge that feels like the perfect next step in his career.
“It’s a pleasure to be here,” he smiled.
“I have had such a warm welcome today, and I’m excited to get started.
“I feel this challenge at this time in my career is the right step for me. I’m excited to be back home and to be in the Championship again. There are lots of things (I want) to prove and I’m looking forward to getting started.”
A former teammate of Touré during his loan spell at Liverpool, Caulker spoke highly of the influence that the Gaffer had in persuading him to join the Football Club.
“After making the decision to come back from Turkey a couple of weeks ago, the Gaffer reached out to me,” he explained.
“He is an ex-teammate of mine many years ago, and he spoke about the opportunity and the project he’s got going here.
“He spoke about the challenge that we face, and he wanted me to be a part of it. For me, he’s a great guy and one of the best guys I’ve met in football.
“The manager played a key part in myself coming here. I’m an experienced player and I’ve had 14-15 seasons under my belt, and for me, the most important thing is mutual respect with the manager.
“Kolo (Touré) has shown that, and I want to repay that faith by performing on the pitch.”
Caulker could be in contention to make his Latics debut against his former side Cardiff City on Saturday afternoon, and the Sierra Leone international captain expressed he will give his all every day to help Latics remain in the Championship.
“We face Cardiff on Saturday, who are an old team of mine,” he said.
“I know they are in a similar position to us, fighting for points. It is such a tight league table where there are just three points between us and safety, and we will be working hard every day in training to keep us in the Championship and aim even higher for the weeks and months to come.”