SOCCEROO star Michael Thwaite has spoken about his move to Norwegian club SK Brann - and says his frosty new home in Bergen reminds him of tropical Cairns.
To see Thwaite talk about his new club in a dreadful Norwegian English accent...click here
Thwaite was late for the Socceroos training camp after being delayed by the transfer from Polish club Wisla Krakow and turning up to meet his new team-mates.
But he told the club's website: "I really want to make the next step to another level and to play under a good coach at a good club.
"I think it was time to change."
The 24 year old left Marconi for a move to Romania with National Bucharest in 2004 before transferring to Wisla on a Bosman in 2006.
Versatile fullback Thwaite has six caps for Australia but hopes to add to that in the match against Qatar.
He now joins fellow Aussies Shane Stefanutto (at Lyn Oslo) and Kasey Wehrman (at Fredrikstad) in the Norwegian League.
SK Brann's next fixture is against Everton in the UEFA Cup next month - and Thwaite is already looking forward to the game.
"Obviously Brann have aspirations against Everton," he said. "It's a big goal of mine to play in the UEFA Cup again.
"The club were champions last year for the first time in 44 years and in the last few years, they've done well and just missed out.
"It's very good to see this club is finally succeeding."
Thwaite just had time for a training session with Brann before jetting off to join the Australia camp.
"It was good," he said. "I was very impressed with the team and obviously the coach wanted to put them under pressure.
"I'm very happy with the tactics and how the coach wants to play. I think the relationship between the players and the coach is important."
But he admitted: "I haven't been to Norway before. I think it's going to be a nice city.
"I like small cities because it's the same as where I'm from in Cairns, with the same sort of population. It's what I'm used to.
"I have to prove myself and I'm looking forward to playing in front of a full stadium. I'm sure it's going to be the same as the Wisla fans - they're crazy.
"That's why European football is beautiful - because of the fans. I'm very excited to meet them and I hope I earn their respect."
To see Thwaite talk about his new club in a dreadful Norwegian English accent...click here
Thwaite was late for the Socceroos training camp after being delayed by the transfer from Polish club Wisla Krakow and turning up to meet his new team-mates.
But he told the club's website: "I really want to make the next step to another level and to play under a good coach at a good club.
"I think it was time to change."
The 24 year old left Marconi for a move to Romania with National Bucharest in 2004 before transferring to Wisla on a Bosman in 2006.
Versatile fullback Thwaite has six caps for Australia but hopes to add to that in the match against Qatar.
He now joins fellow Aussies Shane Stefanutto (at Lyn Oslo) and Kasey Wehrman (at Fredrikstad) in the Norwegian League.
SK Brann's next fixture is against Everton in the UEFA Cup next month - and Thwaite is already looking forward to the game.
"Obviously Brann have aspirations against Everton," he said. "It's a big goal of mine to play in the UEFA Cup again.
"The club were champions last year for the first time in 44 years and in the last few years, they've done well and just missed out.
"It's very good to see this club is finally succeeding."
Thwaite just had time for a training session with Brann before jetting off to join the Australia camp.
"It was good," he said. "I was very impressed with the team and obviously the coach wanted to put them under pressure.
"I'm very happy with the tactics and how the coach wants to play. I think the relationship between the players and the coach is important."
But he admitted: "I haven't been to Norway before. I think it's going to be a nice city.
"I like small cities because it's the same as where I'm from in Cairns, with the same sort of population. It's what I'm used to.
"I have to prove myself and I'm looking forward to playing in front of a full stadium. I'm sure it's going to be the same as the Wisla fans - they're crazy.
"That's why European football is beautiful - because of the fans. I'm very excited to meet them and I hope I earn their respect."
To see Thwaite talk about his new club in a dreadful Norwegian English accent...click here
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