Faissal’s Coming Home

“I really appreciate the welcome and I cannot wait to get game time and show the fans what I can do for them.”

There was no hiding the fact that Faissal El Bakhtaoui is delighted to be back at East End Park. In his first interview since he returned he wanted to record his thanks to everyone, he was so happy to be back that it seemed that even Donald Trump might have featured,

He expressed his gratitude to Dundee Football Club, Ross McArthur and Allan Johnston for giving him the opportunity to come back.

“I am looking forward to it and I am really really happy to come back to Dunfermline. I am really excited to come back and the Dunfermline fans have been unbelievable. I really appreciate the welcome and I cannot wait to get game time and show the fans what I can do for them.”

Faiss consulted his family when his agent had suggested that a move to Dunfermline was a possibility.

“They all thought that it was the best time to come back for me. I would say a big thank you to Ross McArthur and Allan Johnston again because they gave me the opportunity to come back, another chance to work hard and I am looking forward to it.”

So did it take a lot of persuasion?

“I was a bit frustrated at Dundee, I think at Premiership level I was feeling really comfortable when I was playing in central natural number ten position. When I got game time I was playing quite well, I scored against Celtic, I scored against Dundee United, against Rangers. Against big teams and I think I was really comfortable at Premiership level.

“I was frustrated because I didn’t get that much game time at Dundee. I am 25, I am still young and after talking to my family I was thinking that the best thing to do was to come back to Dunfermline.

“There were other clubs interested but I didn’t really have a choice because Dundee didn’t want to go on loan at the same level.

“I want to do well for the club. My mum, dad and brother said the club loves you, everyone knows you and the fans have looked after me. I just want to do well for those fans, they have been unreal.”

Even before Faiss described his return as “coming home” he had inadvertently referred to Dunfermline as home, and since he has arrived back the warmth of the welcome has confirmed that this is where he should be. He claimed that he had learned a lot from experiencing the Premiership and seeing how teams at that level play.

“I know the Championship is a tough league, it will be hard but I am coming back with more experience. Game time is important for me, I came back for that and to do well.”

Only Sean Murdoch, Ryan Williamson, Lewis Martin and Cammy Gill remain from when Faiss was last at East End Park but he said that he was well received by all the players:-

“They were all happy and pleased to see me. I think it is going t9 be a good year this year. It will be hard but we are going to work hard and I am looking forward to it.

“James Vincent was with me at Dundee, we have known each other for a few years and it is good to see him here as well.

“When I see everyone who is here it excites me to play. I can’t wait to get started.”

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