Moukoko reveals he turned down Bundesliga interest to join FC Copenhagen

Ahead of facing his former club, FC Copenhagen forward Youssoufa Moukoko has spoken about his summer move from Borussia Dortmund.

Expectations were huge for Youssoufa Moukoko when he made his senior debut for Borussia Dortmund at just 16 years old.

However, things never fully clicked for the striker at Signal Iduna Park – and after a loan spell at OGC Nice, he left the Bundesliga club for good during the summer to join FC Copenhagen.

In an interview with Kicker, the 20-year-old revealed that he had offers from Bundesliga clubs, but wanted to experience something different outside Germany.

“I wanted to leave,” emphasised Moukoko ahead of Copenhagen’s Champions League clash with his former club on Tuesday.

He noted that, while his loan at Nice wasn’t a sporting success, he came away with valuable experience.

“Many people won’t understand when I say this, but Nice was the best thing that could have happened to me,” Moukoko said.

“In Dortmund, the coach was always to blame if I didn’t play. In Nice, I learned to look at myself first before pointing at others.”

Things haven’t gone entirely smoothly at Copenhagen either, with Moukoko having scored just four times in 20 appearances for the Danish champions.

His last start came in Copenhagen’s most recent Champions League match, a 2-0 defeat to Qarabag, where he was taken off at half-time.

“I’m my own biggest critic; I know that wasn’t my level. It just wasn’t my day,” the forward admitted.

“Before my personal success, it’s important that we succeed as a team. But I will get through this, I know it.

“I hardly ever played 90 minutes over the past two years. Then suddenly playing every three days is tough at first. I know I will help this team,” emphasised Moukoko, who will hope to be back in the starting lineup when Copenhagen face Dortmund on Tuesday.