Josafat “Joe” Mendes left AIK for Hammarby – and then returned to AIK prior to this season.
Now the young right-back has found his home.
– I’m an AIK fan and I grew up here, so I feel pretty good, he says.
In December of last year, AIK introduced Joseph “Joe” Mendes, 18, as its new acquisition. By then, right-back had left Hammarby for AIK just a year after going in the opposite direction. Mendes is now talking about his choice of club and how he sees meeting his former club.
– It’s a club I’ve played at before, so it’ll be fun, he says.
What reactions did you get after the effort and goal against Malmö FF?
– I received good feedback, I received a lot of compliments and I am happy with that. That my teammates believe in me and that my coach believes in me. And that the whole team believed in me.
– So I’m very happy.
“It’s about keeping your feet on the ground.”
How do you see the role you achieved in Hammarby?
– How do I look at him? So, right from the start, I played in AIK. Then I felt that I needed new adventures. But when I came to Hammarby, I got a contract with the first team until the summer, but I wasn’t allowed to play much. But my coach Milos Milojevic didn’t believe me, so I wanted to go back to AEK. This is what I felt.
– I grew up in AIK. I probably played two first-team games at Hammarby and then felt like I wanted to go home. I grew up here, I know how the club works and I feel like I’m finding my way home. I came here when I was twelve years old.
What’s the biggest difference you would say compared to playing in the first team in AIK and being a junior or playing in HTFF?
– Of course the pace is a big difference. It’s faster and you have to make faster decisions and you have to play a more mature role. But I feel like I’ve grown into it more and more.
You got so many compliments from your teammates after the match against MFF, how do you look at it?
– I am very happy with this and for me it is important now to keep my feet on the ground and keep working. I know what I can do.
salute to his coach
What did you mean that Bartosz Grzlelak meant to you?
– very much. He has shown that he believes in me. He allowed me to start in the cup and showed that he believed in me because I had to start many matches. that means alot to me. I spoke to him a bit before I went here, but I honestly don’t remember what I said or what we talked about, Mendes says with a laugh.
What do you think well of Barosz Grzlelak?
– Easy to understand and easy to explain instructions. You know what to do when he says it and it’s easy instructions. It helps me a lot and is a good support.
What do you think will be the image of the match against Hammarby?
– They are strong on Tele2, and they have good support from supporters. It will be a tough match for us. Honestly, I prefer artificial turf, and I love playing on it. *I grew up with her, too. So I’m really looking forward to the match.