Fulham forward Aleksandar Mitrovic says it was simple decision to sign a new contract at Craven Cottage – despite the club’s relegation from the top flight last season.
Mitrovic told Sky Sports: “It was easy. I love this club and the people who work here. Everyone and everything here makes my family happy and I feel at home here. On the pitch I am playing games and scoring goals, which is why I play football. I found my happiness here.”
Mitrovic feels as though he has matured as a player after a difficult start to life in England.
“I came from Belgium to England to the best league in the world. It wasn’t an easy beginning and it was tough to adapt. The Premier League is so physical and I was a young boy, I didn’t expect it and I needed time to settle. I had a good first season with Newcastle but then I hit some bad moments. I didn’t play a lot, so I came here to Fulham and started playing more and scoring goals.
“I was on the pitch and that is why I am so happy here, they know how to play me and it’s a club who really want me. There are people around me who love me and that’s what makes me happy. That’s why I decided to stay.”
Mitrovic is keen to continue translating his outstanding club form to the international arena with the prospect of firing his country to the forthcoming European Championships on the horizon. He might also soon become Serbia’s leading goalscorer.
“It would be the biggest thing in my career. I am always really proud to play for my country and to wear the shirt is the biggest honour, so to break that record would make my family and everyone around me proud. I look forward to every game with the national team. It was my dream as a kid and now it’s unbelievable that I’m really close to achieving something in Serbian football history. There are some really big players and some really big names in the football world on that list and I will be next to them. I will just keep working to score more goals.”
Mitrovic is confident that Fulham can return to the top flight at the first time of asking.
“That’s why I stayed because I think I can help this team. My job is to score goals and in every game I try to do my job. I hope I can help the team to get promoted. Automatic promotion is what we are aiming for and at the end I hope we will be there. I’m sure as the season goes on we will get better and better.
“It’s a really hard league against teams who work really hard. I think it’s the best second league in the world for sure, it’s really exciting to play in and to watch and enjoy. In the Championship we have more possession, we create more chances than in the Premier League and we are more dominant. It’s still the early part of the season but with the quality of the team and manager we have, I’m sure we will be back in the Premier League next season.”
