Ryan Gauld hopes he can live up to his £3m pricetag – and eventually tempt a club to pay his huge £47m buy-out clause.
Gauld returned to Scotland on Thursday after tying up the details of his transfer to Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon from Dundee United.
The 18-year-old was met by a scrum of media attention at Edinburgh airport and told reporters he was excited about the challenge of establishing himself among Europe’s elite.
Gauld said: “It’s been a wild few days and I’m just happy that it’s all sorted now.
“I knew it is a great club which is great for developing players so it was an option I couldn’t turn down.
“They have paid a big price but hopefully put in good performances and establish myself.
“I’m going to have to work as hard as I can, there is a lot in my game I can improve.
“It will be hard but I’m also really looking forward to it. It is a great challenge.
“[The €60m buy-out clause] is a bit unbelievable! Hopefully in a few years I can live up to that.
“I don’t think they are expecting too much too soon, it’s probably more of a long-term investment.”
Gauld thanked the fans and coaches at Dundee United as he prepared for a new life in Lisbon and added that he hopes he can inspire more kids to further their careers outside of the British Isles.
He added: “Going abroad is what I’ve always wanted to do, since I was young I wanted to play abroad.
“I like to think that a few other [young Scottish players] can go abroad, learn and get used to a different kind of lifestyle and culture.”
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