Luiyi de Lucas was told he was ‘crazy’ to want to play in Scotland - but the new Livingston defender admits he’s living the dream.
The 28-year-old Dominican Republic centre-back became the club’s second signing of the January transfer window when he penned an 18-month deal after leaving Finnish side FC Haka.
It’s a first stint in British football for the eight-times capped international, but it’s not his first spell at the Tony Macaroni Arena having failed to win a deal last term.
He admits it took ‘balls’ to return for a second trial but insists that just shows how desperate he was to earn a deal with Livingston.
He said: “The manager told me last season that he liked me but he had enough centre-backs and he didn’t need me.
“It was always my ambition to come back here and try to win a deal. It takes balls to come to a club twice on trial to win a contract. I don’t think too many people would try that, but I was determined to stay here and win a contract.”
de Lucas impressed in friendly clashes during Livi’s winter training camp in Turkey and says he already knows the ethos of the club - and believes he can thrive in that environment.
He commented: “The gaffer doesn’t have favourites. If you aren’t doing your job you don’t play so it isn’t just me who is under pressure to do well, it is the whole squad. You can’t relax.
“It is probably the most intense training I have ever had, but I like it. The intensity is eye opening but it can only help you. I know that the Premiership games will be a bit more intense than those games but I am ready. I am better prepared for Scottish football now.”
As a youngster growing up in the Caribbean, de Lucas says he was inspired by the passion of the fans in British football and admits he was always determined to make his dreams a reality - even if former Motherwell and St Mirren striker Lee Erwin called him crazy.
The pair were team-mates in Finland with the defender saying they spoke often about football on these shores.
de Lucas commented: “When he came to Finland I said to him it was my dream to play in Scotland. He told me I was crazy.
“He is a good friend and we had a good few chats about playing here. He told me that the game here is different to Finland but I knew that anyway after watching Scottish football. But he told me if I do my thing I can do well here.
“It was always my dream to come to British football. I have followed it all of my life, I love the passion of the fans here and I always wanted to get here.”
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