Michael Sollbauer left Austrian side Wolfsberger AC and completed a switch to Barnsley in January.
The transfer helped the midfielder to reunite with his former manager Gerhard Struber at Oakwell.
Spox in Austria sat down for an interview with the 29-year-old and during the course of the chat, he was asked how the move to the Championship side materialised.
“I learned from my agent Reza Mostafaie that Barnsley was interested in me. I didn’t have to think long and of course, also because my old trainer Gerhard Struber and Max Senft, to whom I owe a great deal, work here,” Sollbauer said.
“The discussions between my consultant, Barnsley and WAC were very intense, but in the end the decision was right for everyone involved and I am very grateful that I was able to do so.”
Sollbauer has made eight appearances in all competitions for the English club, which includes seven starts in the league. Barnsley are currently 23rd in the table with 34 points, and are four points behind Middlesbrough, who sit one place above them.
“I know what is expected of me in Barnsley and I have already proven myself in the first games. But nothing has been achieved yet. We want to stay in the division, and that’s what I’m here for,” he stressed.
The Austrian has been in England for less than two months and Spox asked him what were his first impression of Barnsley.
“The first impressions are consistently positive. The people in the city, the club and the team are very, very friendly. A completely different world, but the Austrians and Germans make it easy for me,” the player explained.
“It took me a while to find an apartment. I was alone for the first few weeks – but now my family is visiting and I have moved into an apartment in Leeds, a few minutes’ drive from Barnsley.”
Sollbauer spoke about the intensity of the football in England. “The difference is huge, especially in training. It’s a different football world here. But it’s also exactly what I wanted.
“I can develop really well. Now I have arrived in the league, and the team and I want to keep the level in the next few weeks.”
