Stephane Keller talks about his debut at Al Ittihad
The Cameroonian defender joined the Saudi club this winter.
On loan from the Cypriot club AEL Limassol, Stephane Keller has been playing for Al Ittihad since February. Before moving to Saudi Arabia, he was spotted by the Al Ittihad coach during a Cypriot league match. When he arrived in Saudi Arabia, he found himself in a new environment to which he had to adapt. It wasn’t easy, but Stephane Keller eventually settled in over time. Due to his late arrival, the Cameroonian international was not registered for the Saudi Pro League. However, he is playing in the AFC Champions League.
Ironically enough, the Al Ittihad coach had come to watch his son play in a derby (Aris FC vs AEL Limassol); he saw me and decided he wanted me for Al Ittihad despite offers from other defenders. That’s how I ended up at the club after the transfer window had closed. It was very difficult, coming from a league where I was a regular starter every weekend, to find myself playing only every other week. What’s more, the very unstable climate in the Middle East didn’t make the rest of the season any easier, but over time I’ve adapted. For me, every match is an opportunity to improve. No change is easy, but you have to adapt well and quickly. After that, it comes naturally; I’m used to it.
