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Kazenga LuaLua explains his decision to sign for Hartlepool in his first interview

Kazenga LuaLua explains his decision to sign for Hartlepool United in his first sit-down interview with the National League side.

The 33 year old had been training with the club for some time, which allowed him to get a feel for the club before committing, saying it was a no brainer.

LuaLua brings a wealth of experience to Hartlepool, having played over 200 Championship games and having been part of successful promotion campaigns with other clubs like Brighton and Luton.

CLUB STATEMENT:

Hartlepool United are delighted to confirm the signing of experienced winger Kazenga LuaLua, who holds over 200 Championship appearances.

The 33-year-old has been training with Pools over the last month, and now signs on the dotted line at the Prestige Group Stadium.

LuaLua holds an impressive pedigree, having come through the ranks at Newcastle United and going onto play 15 times at senior level.

A successful seven-year spell followed at Brighton, with the Seagulls achieving promotions from League One to the Premier League during that time.

Following stints at QPR and Sunderland, LuaLua spent three years at Luton Town where he won the League One title for the second time in his career.

More recently, LuaLua enjoyed time in Turkey and Greece before playing in League One at the end of last season for Charlton Athletic.

He will wear the number 32 at Pools and will be eligible for Saturday’s fixture at home to Eastleigh, subject to league approval.

Upon joining Pools, LuaLua stated:

“I’m delighted to be here, I can’t wait to get started. I’ve been training over the last few weeks and the lads have made me feel very welcome. I’m excited to be involved now and can’t wait to get onto the pitch.”

Hartlepool United manager, Lennie Lawrence, added:

“Kazenga has been with us for quite a while and he’ll certainly bring an impact to the team. He’s looked good in training and hopefully, with some game time under his belt, he can become a valuable player for us.”

Interviewer: Well, Kaz, all done and dusted now. Welcome to the Prestige Group Stadium. How pleased are you to be here?

Kaz: Yeah. I’m delighted, obviously. It’s nice to be here. So, yeah, can’t wait to get started now.

Interviewer: And tell me how it’s all come about?

Kaz: Obviously, I’ve been training with the team for the last few weeks. So, for the last few weeks, I’ve been on the team, and how much it’s been good. I’ve enjoyed it so far. So, yeah, when once Joe spoke to me about wanting me to sign, yeah, so it was no brainer. It was easy for me to do.

Interviewer: And training with the team has lots of benefits. You’ve you’ve met all the lads already. How how has everyone been in the dressing room?

Kaz: Yeah. They’ve been good to me. Like, since I’ve been here since I’ve been training with them, they made me feel welcome. So they made it easier for me, so just excited now to be involved with them. So, yeah, can’t wait.

Interviewer: And you personally been able to to train with the team. Do you feel sharp and ready to go?

Kaz: Obviously it’s different than when you train and when you play a game. It’s a different thing, but, yeah, I’ve been, training with them for the last few weeks, so just to keep my fitness up. So, yes, it’s alright. So game by game, I suppose.

Interviewer: Yeah. Just off camera, you mentioned you’ve played once in your career already. Can you remember that?

Kaz: Yeah. It was, it was literally years ago, a long, long time ago. I came here when I was with Brighton. I think it was in League One, I think. So, yeah, it was it’s pretty long time ago if I can remember.

Interviewer: Yeah. And what attracted you to this club? What, you know, made you want to want to join Hartlepool?

Kaz: Obviously, it’s a big club. Everybody know about Hartlepool. So for me, it was no brainer for me, especially me being back home in the Newcastle as well. So it made a lot easier for me. So it was, it’s a big club. You know? So it’s for me, it’s not far from Newcastle as well. And then, like I said, I’ve enjoyed my time with the boys since I’ve been training with them, so it was easy decision for me.

Interviewer: How does it feel being back in the North East? You’ve played, you know, a lot of your career down south with Brighton, and then you recently you’ve moved countries as well. What’s it like being being back home, I guess?

Kaz: It’s nice. Obviously, it’s nice to be back home with my family. So for the last few years, I’ve been away from England. So for me to be back with my family, it’s for me, it’s the best thing.

Interviewer: Yeah. And remember speaking to Adam Campbell, and he, sort of alluded to being back around his family, made him happier off the pitch, which meant he’d be played better on the pitch.

Kaz: Yeah.

Interviewer: Is that very much the same for you feel so you can kick on with the family behind you?

Kaz: Yeah. 100%. Like, for me, family is everything. You know? So, yeah, like I said, to be back to north with my family, to be close with my family, like, for the last few years, it’s been hard for me because, obviously, for me being away abroad, I don’t get to see my family every day. So for me to be back to north close to my family, for me, it’s the best thing, like I said.

Interviewer: And what are your aims for your time at the club? Is it just, you know, getting minutes and hopefully winning games?

Kaz: Yeah. Obviously, just to try and get as many minutes as I can. Like, for me, the most important thing, I’ve always put him first. It’s a team game. You know? So for me to be to get involved much as I can, like, try to do my best to help the team. But like I said, the team comes first.

Interviewer: And a big game on Saturday against Eastleigh, how much are you looking forward to, you know, seeing the the stadium, I guess, for the first time with with fans and, you know, hopefully get some minutes under your belt.

Kaz: Yeah. Like you say, it’s a big game on Saturday. Like, for the last the last few games, the boys, they’ve been they’re doing very, very well. So it’s about keeping the same spirit, like, keep winning the game, then hopefully push on the table. But, yeah, it’s a big game outside.

There was plenty of reaction as Kazenga LuaLua explains his decision to sign for Hartlepool in his first interview…

@LTFCShirts: Tell Lua Lua 🍾 Huge signing if you can get the best out of him, love him 🧡

@JamesDaley11: WHAT 🤩

@MickyBurns14: Welcome aboard kazenga.. Hopefully you’ll hit the ground running and excite us fans NSD 👍👍

@wanchop33: Gunna be mint on fm 17 us

@1908pools: Can he still backflip tho

@jimmoriarty81: He’s the greatest dancer

@smailes_myles: Tsaminamana eh eh Lua lua eh eh scoring goals to get promotion he comes from Africa

@katchacol: Think we ‘were interested’ when he left Newcastle way back when

@BLewis2023: That’s a unbelievable signing

@swfc_keegan: What a player

@WFC_LucasW: That’s actually class tbf

@MbwLdurham: Unbelievable signing this, just wow, 😱

@Itsawayoflife68: Tricky player and nice lad. Used to play the odd game with him up at complete football when he was in the reserves

@JackgHUFC: wtf hahaha that’s class 😍

@MattyCraigMason:
Kazenga LuaLua
Gary Madine
Kieran Freeman
We are winning the 2016-17 Skybet Championship

@1908pools: Lua luaaaaa aha running down the wing

@Jackomckie15: Hahaha wtf man, madness. Will take it like Deffo a different option.

@michaelwelchhh: One of the players that made me fall in love with football, hope he smashes it

@iangregory70: There’s a blast from the past. Just need to sign Sammy Ameobi now 😂

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