There is a lot that players have to consider and that they quickly become aware of when making a move from a different country. For incoming Aston Villa signing Yasin Özcan, coming to the Premier League will involve a lot of changes for him and his family.
Being able to train under Unai Emery and develop in an EPL side, however, are the main factors that will make this latest challenge worth it for Özcan. It is certainly an adjustment.
Playing for Kasımpaşa in the Süper Lig has afforded him the opportunity to become a first-team regular. The intensity and demands on the pitch will now significantly go up for him. As reported by Birmingham Live's John Townley, Emery told the Villan to get prepared before his B6 arrival and do what he can to be in the best position possible for when training begins.
That is only on the pitch. The report also shared that Özcan has been meticulously studying English every day as Emery instructed. For him and his family, there will be a lot of changes, and the potential early language barrier is one of them.
Moving as is, even when just across town, can be a tremendous undertaking. When extended from Türkiye to England, it becomes that much more difficult. Still, for Özcan, the opportunity was something that he could not pass up, and he is eager to prove himself and become regularly featured at Villa as well.
Right mindset from Aston Villa player
Through the variety of change that will be experienced for Özcan, his main focus is on making himself available to help Villa during the upcoming campaign.
He shared what his current approach is in the new league and place that he will now call home:
"First of all I want to play for Aston Villa. I want to win cups there... For now my future is completely with Aston Villa."
Özcan would go on to speak about his national team ambitions. Most players at least have the goal of being able to represent their country. He knows that the priority is with Villa, and getting the chance to reach new heights is something that he believes can be accomplished under Emery.