pir. He had a famous name but Suleiman Abdullah, 26, showed up untrained and overweight for IFK Göteborg.
Against Tromsø, the skinny star scored his first goal.
– I’m at 70-80 percent of my max, he says.
Striker Suleiman Abdallah broke through for Viking in Norway but moved to Germany in 2016 and, among other things, promoted the classic Union Berlin to the Bundesliga.
After two years with little playing time in Bundesliga 2. He was recruited to IFK Göteborg this summer as a player who was being watched closely by chief scout Stig Torbjörnsen.
But the 26-year-old was overweight and in poor shape.
It took just over half a year before the former star and powerful striker began to show glimpses of his qualities.
Unnecessary infiltration
Against Tromsø, the Nigerian ran more and threatened deep in the absence of Marcus Berg (rested). But he was also uneven with the loss of the ball and unnecessary offsides.
In the 28th minute, his first goal in a blue and white shirt came in front of nearly a hundred fans in the rain at the Albert Garden, north of Alicante.
– I became very happy. It was my first goal since I came to this club, he says after winning 2-0.
Abdullah, nicknamed “Sole” at IFK Göteborg, received an accurate pass from Johannes Sylvin. The striker finished clear with a low, tricky shot into the far corner.
– It was very good of him (Sylvin). He looked up, saw me, and hit the driveway. It was a nice goal. I did my best and then I was done.
Five kilos, I think.
What do you say about your look now?
It is 70-80 percent.
I lost some weight…?
– Yes! very! very funny. Five kilos, I think.
But you feel you have a lot of things left to give shape wise?
– We’ll see before the season. I might go down a little more.
When was the last time you registered?
– Oh, it’s been a long time… maybe in 2021, in Germany.
Have you felt pressure since coming to IFK Gothenburg?
– No, nothing, says Suleiman Abdullah.
IFK Göteborg’s goal was answered 1-0 by new Norwegian acquisition Elias Hagen.