Lens’ Kevin Danso: “I could have played for England… sometimes I feel more English than anything else.”
Speaking to L’Équipe ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League clash against Arsenal, RC Lens centre-back Kevin Danso (25) spoke about his multicultural identity.
Danso, Get French Football News’ 2022/23 Ligue 1 player of the season, was born in Voitsberg, Austria. However, he spent much of his childhood in England. He played for Reading Youth before then moving to MK Dons U18 side on a free back in the summer of 2013.
He then left England to join FC Augsburg in Germany, but he soon found his way back to the UK, joining Southampton on loan for the Covid-disrupted 2019/20 season. He made just 10 appearances for the Saints, before returning to Germany for a loan spell at Fortuna Düsseldorf. He joined Lens in the summer of 2021 and has not only consolidated his position in the French club’s defence but also in Austria’s defence.
Despite his connections to England, as well as Ghana, he played for Austria at youth level and has now been capped 14 times by the senior side. However, in an interview with L’Équipe, he delved into his identity and his connection to England.
“I arrived in England when I was six years old. I could have played for England. I lived there for 10 years before going to Augsburg. And it’s strange, sometimes I feel more English than anything else, but sometimes more Austrian or more Ghanaian as well. I am happy to have this multiculturality, it allows me to be who I am,” said Danso.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
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