After scoring in Wednesday evening’s pre-season friendly victory over Shelbourne, leedsunited.com sat down with summer signing Hadi Sacko at the United team hotel in Ireland to get to know the on-loan French winger and catch up after his first week at the club.

First of all, Hadi, how pleased are you to have scored in your first game as a Leeds United player last night?

“It’s a really good start for me - it’s the best way to make your mark. I’m happy but I know it’s only a friendly game, where it’s really about getting your fitness and getting to know your team-mates.”

The goal came from a really well-worked passing move, with a calm finish from yourself to wrap it up. How did you see it?

“We’ve worked really well on our passing game in training this week with the gaffer – he’s asked us for a lot of movement. I felt that for the goal and I asked for the pass at the right time. When I was in front of the goalkeeper, I tried to play it simple with the inside of my foot. It was a good team goal – I’m happy for that.”

Is that something the Leeds fans can expect to see more of from you, getting into those dangerous areas around the box and behind the defence?

“That is exactly what I’ve said to all of my team-mates and the gaffer knows it really well. I feel I can put the opposing team in difficulty when I go in behind. I can help my team-mates there and that is what I try to do as best as I can.”

Do you feel that your style of play can suit the demands of the Championship?

“I’ve watched quite a lot of games in the Championship – there are a lot of physical duels, like in France. I think there will be more space on the pitch and it’s up to me to exploit that and try to do well for the club.”

From a fitness point of view, how do you feel you coped playing the first hour of the game last night?

“The first minutes were a bit tough. You want to adapt and get into the rhythm, so it was a bit tough at first. After the goal, I felt better and better. It was only the first game, so we’re not quite at the level that we want to be at physically. The more we play, the better we will be physically, technically and mentally.”

What did you make of the Leeds United supporters after playing in front of them for the first time?

“They are amazing. There were a lot of fans there even though we are not in our country. We felt that they were behind us and with us, which is really good to feel as a player. I already knew about the fans here before I came, so it was not a big surprise.”

And your Twitter followers will have undoubtedly been on the increase since you joined the club…

“Yes! The English are really good for that. It’s really different to the way players are supported in France. In England, they really get behind the players and I really like that.”

How have you been settling in with your new team-mates?

“Really, really well. I’ve been lucky to be with Toumani Diagouraga - we grew up in the same building in the suburbs of Paris. I was on the second floor of the building and he was on the fourth floor until Toums left to go to Watford. He used to come back quite often so we saw each other quite a lot even when he was playing in England. I grew up with Toums, so that made it easier for me here. I also know Sol Bamba really well because we have the same agent. We also saw each other during our holidays.”

How have you found the pre-season tour so far?

“It’s been really, really good so far. The coach knows how to manage us, which is really important. Sometimes you’re tired and pre-season can be tough, but the gaffer has been really good in managing the group. We can feel that we’re working well and the team is getting to know each other better and better every day. I think there are really good things to come this season for Leeds United.”

Finally, if we rewind to early last week and your move to Leeds being finalised, can you talk us through what that process was like and when you first heard of the club’s interest?

“My agent called me to say there might be an interest from Leeds. I’d watched quite a few games and I’ve talked with Sol – I think the league is good for me. We did the deal quite quickly and then I arrived the day before we went to pre-season, so that was perfect for me. The goal was to come here as quickly as possible for the pre-season tour so I could spend time with my new team-mates and get to know them. I had all my stuff ready in a case to come to Ireland and, as soon as I got the call, I went to the airport in Portugal. I got a plane to Manchester, the club put me in a hotel and then the next day I was on a plane to Ireland with everybody. That was really perfect. I can’t wait to get started properly now.”

PRE-SEASON: LUTV have joined the United squad on their pre-season tour of Ireland to bring you live commentary of both friendly fixtures, match highlights, exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes footage and much more from within the camp. Click here to subscribe now from just £1 per week!