Mainz boss hails Ghanaian Abass

Sandro Schwarz believes the Ghanaian forward has what it takes to succeed at his new club

Mainz 05 manager Sandro Schwarz has tipped new signing Issah Abass to light up Opel Arena with his precocious talent.

The 19-year-old attacker joined Die Nullfunfer from Slovenian champions NK Olimpija on Friday, singing a five-year deal.

He played 53 competitive games and netted 17 times for The Dragons, his goals including three efforts in four appearances in the Europa League this season.

"Issah has good physical condition and speed, and has a profile that makes our team more flexible in attack" Schwarz told his club's official website.

"He just does it. You need people who can break away from the normal and intuitively do things right. He's extremely hardworking, creative and has a behaviour in the box with which he can score goals.

"We know that he needs time to get going in the Bundesliga. We want to incorporate him, without he giving up his carefree attitude with which he can decide games.

"Of course he will have to work on his intensity and also have to learn tactically."

Abass, a former Ghana U-17 player, joined Olimpija from local side Asokwa Deportivo in 2017.

"I have been waiting for this great opportunity," the forward said.

"I am young and I have deliberately chosen a good club for my future to develop. Mainz is good for me, I want to be at the top and the Bundesliga is at the top. I want to give everything to get there too.

"I hope I get my chance and we win a lot of games. I'm very confident. I always carry my head up, I want to stay focused, train well, then everything else goes by itself."

Abass mostly plays on the left wing or as a supporting striker