After arriving in the country late on Monday night, Finnish international Thomas Lam already has his eyes on helping his new Club win more silverware.
Making the solo flight to Melbourne, Lam will be joined early next month by his partner and four-month-old son, allowing him time to find a home for his young family and settle into his new city.
In a far cry from the warm European summer he’d been enjoying, the Finnish international has now had a few days to acclimatise to Melbourne’s infamous ‘four seasons in a day’ weather.
“We’ve been very lucky with the weather in Europe this summer, so yeah, it’s been a little bit colder here obviously,” Lam laughed.
“For me, I like the rainy days as well, especially when you’re training.
“Those are the best training days for me when it’s a little bit rainy and colder, so to be honest, I like it.”
Now living outside of Europe for the first time, Lam said the opportunity to live in Melbourne and ‘see the other side of the world’ was just too good to pass up.
“It’s a special city and I’ve heard a lot of great things about the lifestyle and how great the people here are,” he said, “Everyone is just always smiling and very welcoming.”
Lam’s arrival in Melbourne saw him quickly join in training with his teammates as City continues its preparations for the upcoming season. Having enjoyed a few months off following a 2021/22 season spent with Bulgaria’s CSKA-Sofia, the 28-year-old was eager to get back out onto the training pitch.
“All of the boys welcomed me very warmly which was nice,” he said.
“You can see that the team is very together. I’m the kind of person that thrives in that environment so it’s made it easy to adapt and fit into the squad.”
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Bringing the ability to play both as a defensive midfielder or central defender, Lam’s versatility will be key to Patrick Kisnorbo’s squads push for a third consecutive silverware-winning season.
Lam’s signing not only gives Kisnorbo a further quality option in a couple of positions, it also is set to see the competition for spots heat up amongst the squad, a hallmark of quality teams.
While having already spoken to him before signing with City, Lam said he’d enjoyed meeting his new coach in person and was excited to get to work.
“He had some great words for me and gave me the feeling that he and the Club were very happy to have me here,” Lam said.
“City has had two great seasons finishing first and I want to help achieve that again and do whatever I can to help the team win more trophies.”
Upon his signing, City’s Director of Football, Michael Petrillo, described Lam as a player whose attributes made him ‘the perfect fit for our football style’.
When asked what a few of those attribute’s fans will see this season were, Lam was quick to reel off a few exciting traits.
“I think my technical ability on the pitch, my passing range and my vision are my biggest strengths on the ball,” he said.
A big question on City fans’ lips since the signing announcement has been whether Lam would be deployed in midfield or defence. While it may be all the talk outside of the four walls of the Club, it’s clearly not something playing on his mind.
“Whatever is best for the team,” Lam answered.
“Obviously I’m used to both defence and midfield, so it’s up to the coaching staff.
“Wherever they decide to play me, I’ll be ready to do every I can to help the team.”
With just over 40 days remaining until City begins it 2022/23 campaign with a Grand Final re-match at home, Lam is excited to play in front of the City faithful for the first time.
“I can’t wait to get out onto AAMI Park in front of the fans and I look forward to giving my all on the pitch.”
