Summer signing Sandi Lovric was this week's guest on Udinese Tonight, filmed for the occasion from the team's training camp in Lienz – ironically the city where he was born and grew up.
Speaking after Udinese's first day of training in the Austrian town, the Slovenia midfielder revealed it was an emotional and odd situation for him to find himself in.
“It's great for me to be here in Lienz,” the 24-year-old began. “I know this hotel, the city and the pitches we're training on. I really feel at home here. Actually my house is just five minutes away!"
Lovric, whose parents are Croatian, is eligible to represent Austria, Croatia, Bosnia and Slovenia. He explained his choice of national team.
“I was born here and joined Sturm Graz at the age of 14. I played for all the Austria youth teams, then my parents obtained Slovene passports after working in Slovenia for 15 years. One day the Slovenia coach called me and asked if I wanted to play for them. I immediately accepted, partly out of gratitude towards Slovenia for everything it's given my parents.”
At the age of 21, he moved to Lugano in Switzerland, which offered further opportunities for his personal development both on and off the field.
"When I joined Lugano, it was a difficult time in my career and I improved a lot, both as a player and as a person. It was an experience I'll never forget.
“I studied a bit of Italian for four years at school and in Lugano I had the opportunity to speak it and improve it. It's not perfect but I think it's ok.
“I've had the chance to play in European competitions throughout my career and that's helped me.
“I've played everywhere in midfield and I'm happy to do a job wherever the boss wants me.”
The midfielder went on to share his initial impression of Udinese after his first few days working with Andrea Sottil and his new team-mates.
“The boss wants us to stay fully focused, give 100% in every training session and put passion into everything we do.
“We're still at the start but you can see the quality of our players, also from the intensity of training. We're a great team and I've very happy to be here.
“The difference with Italian football is you need to be more accurate and think more quickly.
“Udinese are a top-level club with excellent facilities. All I need to think about is getting on the pitch and playing my football – and I always do that with a smile on my face.
“The fans have welcomed me really well and some of the stop me in the street.”
Sandi also looked ahead to Wednesday's friendly against local club Rapid Lienz – his former team, who are coached by his father – and the prestigious test match against Premier League giants Chelsea at the end of the month.
“It's going to be a very strange feeling to play against my dad for the first time. He coached me when I was 12. I can't wait to play it.
“Facing world-class opposition like Chelsea is going to be amazing. My friend Mateo Kovacic plays there and I wrote to him. It will be a big test for us to see how we handle ourselves against a top side.”
Finally, Lovric explained that it is another Croatian who is role model.
“[Luka] Modric is my footballing idol. It's a phenomenal footballer and a phenomenal guy too.”