Soumaila Coulibaly has been a Borussia Dortmund player for around four weeks. The 17-year-old joined BVB from Paris St. Germain this summer, but is not yet able to participate in team training due to a knee injury. Speaking in an interview, he told us how he is getting on and what his first weeks in Black & Yellow have been like.

It's lunchtime at the BVB team hotel in Bad Ragaz. The French interpreter is still tied up elsewhere, translating Raphael Guerreiro's answers to German journalists' questions. Dan-Axel Zagadou is next up after Guerreiro, but the defender has arrived early with new signing Soumaila Coulibaly, who himself has an interview appointment with bvb.de after the media rounds. And what's the best way to fill the waiting time? By starting the interview early, of course. And because the interpreter is still busy, "Daxo" jumps in and translates the questions and answers for his younger team-mate. 

Soumaila, you tore your cruciate ligament at the beginning of the year. How are you doing now?
"Good. My knee is already doing a lot better and step-by-step I'm making progress."

When do you want to start with team training?
"It's too early to estimate at present. I'm not ready for team training yet; that will take a while longer."

You've been a Borussia Dortmund player since the start of July. How have your first weeks at BVB been?
"I have been warmly welcomed by the other players and I feel comfortable at BVB. But I haven't yet had much time to take a closer look at Dortmund. I'll certainly make up for that going forward. I have already been to the stadium though and I'm looking forward to finally having the chance to play there."

You spend a lot of time with Dan-Axel Zagadou. What does he mean to you?
"Daxo is like a big brother. The first week was slightly difficult, but since Daxo got here it has been easier for me. He helps me when I have questions and translates for me. Like he is now. I also speak a lot with Rapha and Abdou. But I get on well with my other team-mates as well."

The two Frenchmen Coulibaly and Zagadou both made the switch to BVB at the age of 17, both moved to the Ruhr region from Paris St. Germain and are both central defenders. Zagadou completed his transfer several years earlier, however. At the moment, they are united by a common fate as well: both are undergoing rehab away from the team after suffering serious knee injuries. They work together in the weight room or run laps around the training ground.

Have you come to Dortmund alone or with your family?
"My big brother was there for the first two weeks. But he's back in Paris, meaning that I'm now alone."

Why did you join BVB?
"BVB was simply the best team for me. When I came to Dortmund to take a look at everything prior to my transfer, I spoke with Michael Zorc and Sebastian Kehl and had a good feeling that BVB would be the right club for me to continue my development."

What are your goals for this season?
"My first objective is to link up with the team after my injury. Then I'd like to play in as many matches as possible."

How much progress have you made with your German? 
"I'm learning German and am repeatedly asking for the German terms for different things. But it's going to take time until I can speak German, because it's a difficult language."
Transcribed by Christina Reinke