Scunthorpe Utd: Mozika wanted to be part of Knill's Iron revolution
New signing Damien Mozika insists he is keen to get back to focusing on football after a hectic couple of days which saw him swap Bury for Scunthorpe United.
The 24-year-old midfielder moved to Glanford Park on transfer deadline day for an undisclosed six-figure sum, having been keen to be reunited with his former Shakers boss Alan Knill once he learned of the Iron's interest.
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GETTING SHIRTY: Damien Mozika shows off his new colours after joining the Iron yesterday.
Linked with the likes of Middlesbrough and Coventry City by various different media sources since the summer, the Frenchman confirmed he was aware of interest from the Championship before he agreed a two-year deal at United.
But given he holds Knill in such high regard, Mozika says the chance to work again under the Iron boss, who left Gigg Lane in April, was the only thing on his mind.
It is a partnership he hopes will spell success for his new club.
"Alan is a great man, in football and outside football," Mozika, who began his career with AS Nancy and has also played in Iran, told the Telegraph.
"He is a great manager. He showed that to Bury and I think he will show that here. I want to help him do that.
"I know a lot about other clubs watching me, but my first choice was to come with Alan, straight away.
"The link started two days ago, but everything went quickly.
"It was time for a change. To come here is to go up a step, you know, it's a club from the Championship - bigger than Bury.
"It's been a busy few days, especially yesterday, but now everything is done so I am happy.
"I can't wait to play football again and show people what I can do.
"If the gaffer give me the chance to play on Saturday, I am ready."
Assistant boss Chris Brass revealed Mozika has been a target for the Iron ever since he and Knill exited Gigg Lane for Glanford Park.
He knows the Parisian has the hunger and work ethic to be a success at Scunthorpe - because he's seen him do the business before.
"When he came through the door at Bury he had to earn a contract," said Brass.
"It wasn't a great one, but he earned the next one and had that hunger and desire to keep bettering himself.
"He's certainly improved in the 12 months we've worked with him and we still think there's levels of improvement to come from him.
"He had a lot of interest, from higher division clubs and financially I'm sure he was thrown better options. But he sees this as a progression in terms of his career.
"In respect of the clubs that come for him, if he does well here there might be bigger and better ones next time."
Brass confirmed Mozika will go straight into the Iron's squad for the game with Colchester United on Saturday after recovering from a tight calf - where he will be joined by Michael O'Connor.
The Northern Ireland international, sidelined for the past week with a muscular injury, was rated no better than '50-50' by Knill after Tuesday's Johnstone's Paint Trophy win over Hartlepool United.
But after coming through a training session unscathed this morning, O'Connor is in contention to return to the starting XI.
That means even with on-loan Manchester United youngster Oliver Norwood away on international duty, Knill suddenly has a plethora of midfield options.
Niall Canavan (international duty), Cliff Byrne (back), Matt Godden (hip) and Jordan Robertson (broken ankle) are the other absentees for the game with the U's.
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by Eileenmcbriar
Sunday, September 04 2011, 4:54PM
“Make that 5/7 meetings after your spanking next week”
by Eileenmcbriar
Sunday, September 04 2011, 4:36PM
“Your sorry shower would have been pushed back further than a floozies loveglove on a friday night,watch out the blades will cut you down and show no mercy for your sparse crowd.Expect it will be a big pay day when the blades bring more fans than what you will have in supporting your team.Prediction George Roper's Iron 1 Blades 4”
by Daleboy83
Sunday, September 04 2011, 4:06PM
“Eileen we look forward to playing the blades it's been a stone wall 3 points in the last 5 out of 6 meetings, in the Championship anyway. Yesterday must of been a big day out for your fans, just ashame they didn't remind the team to turn up whahaha!”
by Eileenmcbriar
Saturday, September 03 2011, 9:22PM
“BlytonIron your comments don't really make alot of sense and after reading Richie Barker's comments on the Bury fc site i can understand why we ditched this wayward footballer.You are welcome to him and i do hope that he improves as a human being,his obvious talents on the field are evident.Your dressing room might become affected by this egotistical primadonna.We are really a selling club but it is understandable that players might be under the delusuion that joining another reasonably successful team might be a better bet,Still win for the iron your supporters must be getting twitchy and well you only have the blades to face next week good luck and i mean that.”
by Daleboy83
Friday, September 02 2011, 7:11PM
“Eileen you are calling the league 5 games in we are 19th now but I will go as far as saying we are one of the best footballing sides in this league. When lady luck works in our favour you will see. Oh and when we won this league we didn't win till our 7th game. So for me please get a grip!”
by BlytonIron
Friday, September 02 2011, 2:02PM
“PS Where did Mozika's comments touch you???”
by BlytonIron
Friday, September 02 2011, 2:01PM
“Eileen, if no meant no in this case, then surely Mozika would still be in the Bury Squad for Saturday and not in Scunthorpe's!!!
I would think that no meant - "give me more money" in this case which is what we did!!
You are correct in that tables don't lie, however, they doubt count for diddly until the games played column reads 46.
Also I have seen you spout that Bury don't do firesales numerous times, yet players still seem to leave your club for the sinking ship that it is and will be come May 2012. Now who is more akin to the Titanic?????”
by Eileenmcbriar
Friday, September 02 2011, 1:40PM
“Since Knilly is the one who is doing all of the talking and taking action at your club then what else is there to talk about.I meant that i am over him leaving our club he is history and i wish SUFC all the best,come Christmas your club will have a new chaIrman when Stevo steps down.
Just been reading Mozika's fairwell coments on the Bury fc site.Can i just say how i was touched by them.
He even went on to deny any comments which might have been attributed to his swift departure from Gigg lane.
I think Bury fc have got a good case of an illegal approach made by your board and at least harrassment of our players.Lets see where that line of enquiry takes us.
Why the heck your manager can't just accept no as a resonse when making enquiries i don't know it shows his lack of regard for his former employer and disrespect,no means no Ak or do you have this problem in your personal life too i wonder.”
by Scunnyfan
Friday, September 02 2011, 1:28PM
“Eileen, you are nothing more than a pathetic person. We're only a few games in ***. We will soon wave past your dross on our way to the playoffs.”
by EddieMurphy
Friday, September 02 2011, 1:04PM
“Eileen says "I'm over Knilly".
Eileen then posts 9 line comment about "Knilly"!”