JURGEN LOCADIA says football saved him from crime as Albion’s record signing prepares for his debut.
Boss Chris Hughton has confirmed the £14 million Dutch striker as a starter in Saturday’s fifth round FA Cup clash against Coventry City at the Amex.
Locadia has been out for ten weeks with a hamstring injury sustained with former club PSV Eindhoven.
He made his name as a goalscorer for PSV, including an 11-minute hat-trick on his debut, after a tough upbringing in a broken home. He was the only male in the family alongside his mother and three younger sisters.
Locadia, 24, told The Argus: “We had a difficult time because my parents separated when I was two years old. I was staying at home with my mum and three little sisters.
“My mum also had to work, so I stayed a lot of the time at my grandmas. That made me how I am right now I think.
“When I was older I realised what you miss. At that time I didn’t realise, I didn’t know better.
“It isn’t even about the money. I don’t care about the money. I started playing football because I love it, that’s the main thing for me.”
Asked where he would be without football, Locadia said: “I’d have probably been a criminal.”
Locadia’s many tattoos include a “special one” devoted to his late grandmother.
He said: “She passed away ten years ago. I was raised by her. I have a portrait of her on my arm, that’s the best one.”
Fellow January signing Leo Ulloa could join Locadia in the line-up against Coventry.
The Argentinian marksman, back with the Seagulls on loan, has made three substitute appearances after playing 90 minutes once since August for parent club Leicester.
Hughton said: “There’s a chance that Leo might start as well. Jurgen’s had an injury that has kept him out for a period of time.
“Leo hasn’t had the match minutes he would have liked but generally he’s been fit right through that period and it’s a good opportunity for him as well.
“The reason why he and Jurgen came here was to push for a place in the starting 11. That’s very much the objective for both players and they’ve got to show enough to do that.”
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