Cameroon midfielder Eric Djemba Djemba, who joined Manchester United on Thursday, says the late Marc-Vivien Foe urged him to sign for the English champions. “When I signed my contract I thought of him and started to weep,” said Djemba Djemba, who joined United in a five-year deal for about £3.5mil from French First Division side Nantes.
“You can’t imagine how much we’re going to miss him,” he added referring to his former international teammate.
The 28-year-old Foe collapsed during Cameroon’s 1-0 semi-final victory over Colombia in the Confederations Cup on June 26 and died shortly afterwards.
“I asked to wear the number 17, which was his. But it was already taken, so I’ll play with the 19,” added Djemba Djemba.
“He (Foe) often called me to say: ‘If you can sign for Manchester United, do it. It is a club for you. You’re going to have fun there’.”
In an interview with L’Equipe on Friday, Djemba Djemba said United manager Alex Ferguson had expressed his confidence in the 22-year-old’s abilities.
“He (Ferguson) told me: ‘In Manchester, we’re never wrong about a player’,” Djemba Djemba said. “Now it is up to me not to deceive them, because he says my potential is huge.
“I will try to make my little space, to play some games and gradually become a starter.”
After completing the signing, Ferguson said: “Eric is a young player we’ve watched throughout the season and he’s impressed us each time with his understanding of the game.
“He’s quick, aggressive and a good passer of the ball, and is the kind of athletic footballer we are looking for.
“In the last few months he has shown his development playing in a very good Cameroon team and he looks like a Manchester United player in every sense.” – Reuters
