Mayor Simpson, members of Frisco leadership. I'd also like to thank Hunt Sports Group -- Clark and Dan -- who have been unbelievably supportive of our goal to sign a Designated Player, bringing Denilson to FC Dallas and Pizza Hut Park which is much appreciated.
Finally, I'd like to welcome all of the phenomenal Hoops Nation members around the world that are joining us through webcast on FCDallas.com. Thank you very much for your support. And last, but certainly not least, I'd like to thank all of the fans around the Metroplex who have been absolutely unbelievable this year in supporting the team. Once again, the crowds are getting bigger, better, stronger and that's in part to all of your support out here so thank you very much for your support.
We knew the signing of Denilson was going to be big, but I have to be honest with you, I had no idea it was going to be as big as it has turned out to be. When I went to Starbucks this morning to pick up my venti latte, which will be one of four for me today, four people came up to me and asked me about this signing and asked me when his first game will be and asked me if tickets are still available. Of course the answer was "as soon as possible, and yes, they are still available. Call now."
I then went to my son's kindergarten orientation at his school right down the street, at Carroll Elementary School, and I had ten parents walk up to me and ask me about Denilson and how excited they are to see Denilson join FC Dallas and Major League Soccer. In a small way, this microcosm just shows you how big this announcement is going to become for FC Dallas, Major League Soccer and the sport of soccer in this country.
We started this season by creating a team that we wanted our fans, community and our staff and sponsors to be proud of. We think we've accomplished that. We've also said all along that we wanted to put ourselves in a position that if we wanted to add a special player, someone who we felt could really take us to that next level, we wanted to be in a position relative to the salary cap that we could accomplish that. I'm very proud to say that we were in that position and that we are making that addition in the signing of Denilson.
We want to do one thing and one thing only. We want to win championships and we want to do it in an entertaining manner for our fans, sponsors and this great community that we call home.
So once again, I want to thank everyone for joining us today. We're very proud to add Denilson to FC Dallas. We think he's going to be an unbelievable ambassador for the team, for the sport, and we look forward to winning many championships with him on our team."
HEAD COACH STEVE MORROW OPENING STATEMENT
"Just following up on what Michael said. It remains for me on behalf of my staff, the coaches, and the players to officially welcome Denilson here. We're very excited to have him. He's obviously a player of immense quality, immense experience and immense ability. We're very pleased and proud to have him as part of our team. Everybody here is excited to work with him in the near future.
It's taken us a long time to get to this point, and believe me, a lot of talking with a lot of agents and a lot of representatives. A lot of patience was required along the way. The thing that was foremost in my mind was that it had to be the right deal for FC Dallas. We eventually got to the point where I was very happy that this was the right deal for our organization.
The things we look for as a coaching staff in terms of getting the right player: the ability is very important which he's obviously got. The talent, and attitude and character, to go with that talent is obviously very immensely important too. We took time to get to know the player. He's a great guy. He's going to be a great influence around the locker room, especially with the young guys and that was very important to us as well.
We're also very happy that it's the right contract to the organization as well. Believe me FC Dallas have nothing to lose and a hell of a lot to gain and we're very excited about the future. We'd like to wish Denilson all the best. We think this can be the start of something very special, not just for FC Dallas, but also for Major League Soccer. We hope he can contribute to our success for a long time to come."
DENILSON STATEMENT
"Good afternoon everyone. I want to thank the coach, the president, and the owners, for the effort they have made in bringing me here to FC Dallas. From the very first moment they have showed me a tremendous amount of attention in wanting me to be here. I hope to fulfill all of the expectations of not only the coach and owners, but also of the fans. I also want to thank my teammates for the warm reception they gave me this morning when I met them for the first time. Our hope and wish is to do our best to win championships."
QUESTION: Denilson -- Why did you play in Saudi Arabia and France for one year each, after having spent so much time in Spain?
"I had the opportunity to renew with my previous club, Bordeaux, in France, which is the club I played at before I went to Saudi Arabia. I had the chance to renew but I decided not to, not only because of the financial package that was presented to me by the Saudi Arabian club, but also for the cultural experience that I knew I would have in going there. As soccer players, you can't limit yourself to only one world. After nine months in Arabian soccer, it was a good experience to be able to share a lot of my experiences in a new culture with my friends and family back home. As a soccer player, it was a difficult situation for me. The adaptation was even more difficult, but I don't regret it. I would do it again for the experience."
QUESTION: Steve Morrow -- When will Denilson play in his first game for FC Dallas?
"Obviously, we have to go through the working visa process which we are going through right now. We hope to get that finalized as quickly as possible. We've been told it will take about five to ten business days to complete. Obviously, we need to get the player match-fit as well. We don't have a definite answer on that right now, but we want him there as quickly as possible."
QUESTION: Denilson - Why did you choose to wear the number ten for FC Dallas? "I didn't request the number ten. It's the number that was available. They told me they had two, three, and ten available, and I think ten is the number that fits me best."
QUESTION: What is your knowledge of Major League Soccer and soccer in the United States?
"In truth, I just started recently knowing more about soccer here in the United States. I know it's only been around for a short amount of time. In years past, soccer players that have been playing in Europe like myself, went to the Arab league and the league in Japan. I believe that MLS, with the arrival of the blond one, is growing even more. We will do our best to continue what this team has started. I'm satisfied to come into this league. As I said at the beginning, to finish the season as we are going right now, which is very good. I only come to contribute to what is already here. The roster is pretty much set. All of the merit at this moment goes to the players, president, coaches and the staff, because they have put this team in the position that they are in right now. I'm just another player hoping to come in and add to what we said at the beginning, to get to the final as they had planned."
Why did you decide to sign with FC Dallas?
"What impressed me was the structure of the club and the way the club is managed. For a soccer player, to have facilities where the player can feel comfortable and to have the opportunity to train, rehab, so that on the field you can perform. That was the first thing that impressed me. The other thing was the effort from the owner, coach and president to bring me here was another point that made me decide to be here. Their attention impressed me. Finally, I'm motivated to make history with this club. It's a club that has not yet won the MLS championship. I have arrived with the thinking that I can help. The roster is pretty much fixed and like I said, the team is having a great season so I'm only here to help the team win championships.
From there, to be here for many years, the first thing I need to do is learn how to speak English to relate to my teammates and the rest of the world."
QUESTION: Did you seek advice about the United States from Brazilians who have previously played or coached in the country?
"I knew that Branco had played here but did not know that Pereira was involved. I did know that Romario was involved in the leagues in the United States, but obviously not here. I understand that it's important for players to live here. All of the players who have come over have come with the intention of making history. I don't think the country is difficult adjust to. I did not ask those questions to find out if it was good or bad but I know that it's good to be able to have this opportunity. From television, I know that it's a country that is nice to live in. Many people want to come to the United States to work and this was one of the things that I looked at."
QUESTION: How did your involvement with the Nike commercials and the transfer to Real Betis affect you, if at all?
"With Nike, everything was normal. I've always done my commercials with Nike with a lot of pleasure. I've always enjoyed doing them. I never had any problem with them.
Yes, with my transfer to Spanish football, I was 19 years old. It was for a lot of money and the responsibility I had with this club was very high also, which resulted in my first two years in Spain not being very good, due to having so much responsibility for my age. I was so young and I was not prepared. After the first two years, I adapted to this type of responsibility and from every place I passed through the responsibility was always the same.
So today, I'm very calm and I understand very well the responsibility that I have with my work and I continue to try to do the things as well as possible for the people to be happy with my work."
QUESTION: Have you talked to the team about what your role will be?
"Today was my first session. On the players I have very little to say because I don't know them all yet, but the standings say it all. They are one point from the top, even with one game less and that says we have a strong roster, a team that has come along very well.
With the coach, we'll have our time to talk to do what he is intending to do but at this moment we haven't had the opportunity to speak yet. I had my first training this morning and throughout the week the coach will not only meet with me but with the rest of the team to prepare for the weekend."
QUESTION: Do you intend to use your step-over move (known in Spanish as the "bicicleta")?
"Of course! Soccer fans that see this on TV are entertained by (the step-over move). But for me, or other players, I'm not sure that it is very difficult to do. The famous bicicleta, as the world knows it, is simply a matter of stepping over the ball quickly trying to catch the defender leaning one way. It's easy for the players. For you, I'm not sure, but for the players it's easy."
QUESTION: Do you think the heat in Dallas will affect you?
"The only problem I see with the heat is that I'll become a little tanner. Other than that there's really not much to say. In Spain it's also very hot, such as in Sevilla where I was playing for many years; possibly the same as here. I don't see the problem. I'll have to drink a lot of water, but there really is no problem."
QUESTION: With your experience, what do you think you can bring to the club?
"For all the time I've been in soccer, with having gone to Betis at 19 years old, to have learned many things, and have had many lessons, I have realized that there is always something to teach and always something to learn. There is always more to learn than there is to teach. I come with the thought of playing soccer, to do what it is that I love to do the most. If the coaches or players need to talk and learn something, I'm available to tell of the experiences that I have had, as much with Brazil as with the clubs that I have played with.
But in speaking of responsibility, all players have a responsibility, some more and some less, but I think I've carried this very well. What I want is for everyone to understand that we all have a responsibility within the team. We'll intend to do our best so that the group is the beneficiary, not the individual player."
