By Matthew Wilson
Finn Harps defender Daniel Lacerda expressed his enjoyment of life since moving to Ireland and hopes that the side can bounce back against UCD this Friday.
Finn Harps got their 2026 League of Ireland First Division campaign underway last Friday where they suffered a 2-1 defeat away to Athlone Town.
Speaking at a Finn Harps press conference on Monday afternoon, the club’s new centre-back Daniel Lacerda stated that it was a performance that the side can certainly improve on moving forward.
“It was a tough game, the first game of the season. To be honest, I know our team can do better and will do better for the upcoming games but it was a tough game.
“Athlone Town did their job, got the 2-1 lead and then we just couldn’t get it back.”
The Portuguese defender was one of six new recruits that linked up with Kevin McHugh’s squad when they reassembled to prepare for the season back in December.
Living on the Emerald Isle is a new experience for the 26-year-old but he stated that it’s one that he’s enjoyed in the months since locating here.
“I’ve been enjoying Ireland a lot to be honest. I feel good here, it feels a bit like home. It’s a similar culture to Portuguese culture so it’s been very good.”
The Navenny Street Club have managed to retain a large portion of their squad from last term for this year’s First Division season so they will all be familiar with each other and they will have attained a connection.
Lacerda continued by discussing how welcoming these members of the squad have been towards the new arrivals since they joined the club, with the pre-season trip to Bolton helping to create great bonds amongst the group.
“Since the first day that we arrived here, our teammates have greeted us in a welcoming way. The trip to Bolton definitely helped to create a deeper relationship. It helped to unify the group so it was really good.”
At 26-years-old, the Lisbon native already has a wealth of experience in football and has played the game in various locations during his career to date.
Lacerda began his football journey in his hometown of Lisbon before exploring different clubs around the country.
After this, he moved to the United States for his studies where he played university football for a number of years before joining Al-Ettifaq in Dubai for a season following his graduation.
The move to the United States was Lacerda’s first time leaving his home country of Portugal, describing it as a bit daunting but an experience which he benefitted from in terms of both personal and footballing development.
“It was my first time moving away from Portugal so it was a bit of a frightening situation but at the same time it was very exciting.
“You’re experiencing new things, a completely different world but it was a great experience. It was very good in terms of personal growth and football development because it’s a different game that they play there compared to Portugal so it was good.”
Having experienced various footballing cultures and styles previously in Portugal, the United States and Dubai, the new Finn Harps defender has described the League of Ireland as the most intense and physical that he has come across to date but admitted that it’s a part of football that he enjoys.
“I would say Ireland so far is the most physical and intense that I’ve played in. At the same time I like that part of the game, the physicality, so it’s been good but it’s definitely the most physical and intense.”
