Straight after newcomer Wesley Sonck had signed his two-year contract, Lierse.com had a brief word with him:

Wesley, it's really gone very quickly?

We talked on Sunday but there was no real concrete interest. Then you have time to think it over. Yesterday I spent the whole afternoon with Maged Samy to talk about his ambitions for the club and more besides. Then it was apparent that we have a lot in common. Back home I talked it over with my wife and children and together we're very enthousiastic to enter into the Lierse project.

Was it an advantage that by signing for Lierse you could remain in Belgium?

Not really because I was prepared to go overseas. There had been both concrete and less concrete contacts. But I wasn't ready to just go to whatever country where my wife and kids did not feel happy. Now I know that we're going to be in a good environment and that's very important

You quickly reached agreement with Lierse, despite that fact that the media had labelled you as too expensive.

Then I ask myself if the media really have their facts correct. But ok, speculation is such fun. Especially in the journalists world they happily publish figures, which you have to stomach. the fact that I'm now in Lierse should show that what other people say is not necessarily correct.

Due to your career and performances, expectations are high. With no points from 4 games in the back of your mind, that won't decrease.

I have no problem with the level of expectation. That's been the case in my entire career. I only hope that the team can fulfil the expectations and that we can have a very good and carefree season. We are currently bottom of the league but in football things can change very quickly

Have you seen Lierse play this season? Do you know some of their players?

Of course I know a few but I haven't followed every match, I've been involved with other things. For me it's just important that I can start afresh here in Lierse and can build something beautiful.

Tomorrow your first training session and then building up to your first match?

It should be that you can quetly build up to your first match. Therefore it's good that the weekend after next is an Internationals weekend. If I'm not called up (laughs). So I have twoweeks to train, to integrate and build up rhythm. This situation is therefore a bonus with wa view to my first league match.

You have in the past scored a lot of goals against Lierse, do you think that the supporters will welcome you with open arms?

I hope ,in any case that people will give me a warm welcome. I'll give my best, and perform as best as I can for this club.