Uruguayan center back Sebastian Coates has had quite a busy summer.
After dominating the Copa America, and earning Best Young Player accolades along the way, the towering defender had to sort out offers from some of Europe's biggest clubs before completing his transfer to Merseyside. But with the summer months now in the rearview mirror, it's time for Coates to get down to business and fight for his place on a crowded Liverpool roster, a challenge which the promising youngster seems more than ready to tackle.
"The biggest attraction was the challenge: to come to an unfamiliar place — a huge club — and make a name for myself," Coates told LFC Magazine. "So far in my career, I have been very lucky to play for Nacional, to play in the Copa Libertadores, to win the Copa America. There has been a lot of success in a short period of time. But I have achieved that in a place where I am most comfortable.
"Now, I am here, in a different country, in a different league, with different teammates. The best players are successful wherever they go. I am determined to become an important player here at a historical stage of the club's future."
At just 20 years old, Coates could find himself with regular first-team minutes in the absence of Daniel Agger. He'll be looking to impress in his expected full debut against Brighton and Hove Albion on Wednesday.
