Nigerian defender, Efe Ambrose, has revealed that the opportunity to work under England and Chelsea legend, Frank Lampard was the main motive for his move to English Championship club, Derby County, reports Completesports.com.
Ambrose has been a free agent since the start of January following his departure from Scottish Premier League side Hibernian.
During his time in Scotland Ambrose won four Premier League titles with Celtic, and also helped Hibs to the Scottish Championship title in 2016/17.
The central defender is excited to get started with the Rams after penning a contract until the end of the 2018/19 season after a short spell training with the club.
“Sometimes you never know where football will take you but for me, it’s a dream to play in England so getting the opportunity to play here is amazing,” Ambrose told RamsTV.
“I had other offers from abroad so when my agent called me and said Derby were interested and they had put an offer to us, with Frank Lampard, I said there is no second choice.
“That should be the first choice because for me, I’ve known about him since he was at Chelsea as a player and he has been my hero and someone I’ve always enjoyed watching play football.
“He is a legend so when he told me about Derby and Lampard, I’ve always watched the Championship and known about the passion.
“In the Carabao Cup, they beat Manchester United so I’ve been impressed with what the manager has brought into the club and for me to come and have the opportunity to play under him is a great honour and I didn’t think twice to come.
“For him to bring me in is a great honour personally and I want to do what I can to make sure I play my part in the ambition of the club.”
While his contract runs until the end of the season, Ambrose has his sights firmly set on helping the team reach their desired destination at the end of the campaign.
“I know what it means to be in the top six and what it means to get a ticket to the Premier League,” Ambrose added.
“I know the ambition – what Frank Lampard wants for this club. So for me, that is a motivation.
“Every player wants to make a mark and I want to do the best I can do to give back to the club.
“We are aiming for the top two places to get the automatic ticket so once you put that in your head then it’s a challenge and it’s not impossible. In the Championship, everyone is equal to everyone.
“Anyone can beat anyone when you are at your best,.So for me, I need to work hard, train hard and adapt quickly to help the team.
“I know it’s a busy time playing every weekend and that’s the challenge I like. It’s competitive football that I like. So I don’t have a problem with that. I want to prove myself and make sure to repay his trust in me and that is why I’m here.”
