Sunderland new boy Karlsson relishes chance of a lifetime
Sunderland winger David Moberg Karlsson has revealed that he intends to remain patient in his first season at the Stadium of Light.
Moberg Karlsson's transfer to Sunderland was confirmed earlier this week, and the former IKE Goteburg player is impressed with the club's confidence in his ability.
The 19-year-old told the Sunderland Echo: "I will have to be extremely humble. They are extremely good players, and I will be training with players who represent national teams.
"In the beginning I might not be playing, but if that is the case I must not be discouraged because they have given me a four-year contract, which means they believe in me for the future.
"They like my strengths, they like quick, technical players, and that's what they saw in me."
The move sees Karlsson breaking up one partnership with a Swede with Sunderland connections – Tobias Hysen – in favour of another – Black Cats midfielder Seb Larsson.
The teenager said: “I haven’t had any chance to speak to Seb yet, but I probably will later.
“I’ve been following him for many years now, because he was a young player when he moved to the Premier League with Arsenal.
“I’ve been watching him for a long time and I’m a fan of his.
“As for Tobias, I spoke to him about Sunderland even before he knew about the move, and he spoke highly of the club and the city.
“Of course I want to play as much as I can, but I also want to train hard and become a better player.
“I can’t wait to get started in pre-season.
“After looking round the training ground and the facilities, my legs already want to move!
“I want to show the manager and his staff what I can do.
“I know all about the passion of the fans here and also about the massive derby games against Newcastle.”
Karlsson says that though he is down as a striker – he has played up front with Hysen for most of this season at Gothenburg – he is equally as comfortable on the left wing.
“I’m a winger or a striker,” he said.
“I am an offensive player, who likes to go one-on-one and I think I am pretty fast, too.
“I think this move was a natural next step for me.
“I have come to a club with great players so I get to train with them and work with a good manager, so I think it is a good step forward.
“Sunderland is a great club.
“I love the Premier League – it’s the best league in the world, and Sunderland is a big club in England so it wasn’t a hard decision.”
Moberg Karlsson has scored five goals in 11 appearances for Sweden's Under-19 side.