Raphael Assibey-Mensah had absolutely no hesitation in signing for Brentford as he became the latest player to join Flemming Pedersen’s B Team squad. The winger completed his move from Bundesliga side 1. FSV Mainz 05 this morning before training with his new teammates for the first-time this lunchtime. Raphael, who turned 17 yesterday, said that he has always dreamed of playing in England and couldn’t wait to get started.
“I love English football and I saw Brentford on TV,” said Raphael, speaking to Bees Player after joining. “It was nice to see how they played and I was so excited to come here. It was an easy decision to join. I wasn’t thinking about whether to come or not, it was an easy decision to join. The first time that I came here I said yes. I really love English fans. When someone scores a goal it isn’t like that in Germany, it is so much better.”
Raphael becomes the eighth B Team arrival this summer to work with experienced coach Flemming Pedersen. Flemming was at Mainz while Raphael was with the German club and The Bees new signing said that it was only when he arrived in England that he realised the pair had crossed paths before.
“I didn’t work with Flemming when I was with Mainz because he was with the first team but it is a good story,” said Raphael. “Most of the time when I was in Germany I came to training an hour early to work on my shooting. I saw Flemming and I asked him what I could do to get a better shot. He told me what to do and then when I came here they told me that my coach was called Flemming. I asked who he was because I didn’t know a Flemming but then I saw a picture on the Brentford website and I said ‘I know this man.’ I am looking forward to working with him."