Ze Castro adapting well to Coruna

Defender happy with “great environment” at new club

Portuguese defender Ze Castro says he is adapting well to his new surroundings, following a summer switch to Deportivo La Coruna.

The 25-year-old former Academica defender, who moved to Spain in 2006 with Atletico Madrid, made the move to Galicia last month, signing a one-year loan deal with Depor after failing to make the breakthrough at Atletico.

Ze Castro is currently with his new team-mates in Venezuela, where Depor are continuing their preparations for the new La Liga season with a series of matches in the South American country, and the Portuguese impressed in his side’s 1-0 win over Minerven on Friday.

“It’s a change of city and of team-mates, but there is a great environment here,” Ze Castro said from his club’s base in Caracas. “I’m very happy, the team is looking good.

“The climate here helps, although it is very hot. Naturally, when we get back to Spain we’ll be better. Now we are preparing ourselves to make a good start to the official games.”

Depor’s first match of the new Spanish league season could not be any tougher, with Ze Castro and co. set to host defending champions Real Madrid at La Riazor on Sunday 31st August, as they look to match last season’s respectable 9th place finish.

“Am I worried about playing them (Real) first? We have to play against them at some point, whether it’s the first or last game. I believe that the most important thing right now is that the team improves our football, particularly in a tactical sense.”