“Nîmes Olympique is my DNA and my identity”

Objectif Gard: How does it feel to have signed with Cincinnati?

Kevin Denkey : It is the fruition of a lot of work and my investment on and off the field. I am very happy. I know that I am highly anticipated because it is an important transfer so I will have to show all my abilities. When I arrived in Cincinnati and saw the facilities, it was incredible! The club has its own stadium, their training center is magnificent with specific recovery and work equipment. It's a small detail but in the center, there is even a special room for the hairdresser who comes to do the players' hair. (Laughing) The chef is very good too. There, we really lack nothing. I have never seen this in my life, everything is organized for our well-being. These conditions will allow me to take a further step in my work.

What are your goals with your new club?

I want to perform. I was recruited for my offensive qualities. I'm a striker so obviously I aim to score goals, make assists and help the team offensively. I also have a lot to give them, but I plan to continue to improve. Then the mentality of the club is very good. It's the American mentality, they like to work, do business, but above all put on a show. There, football is an event. Fans come to the stadium to celebrate. It's not like in Europe where there are, for example, hooligans or clubs that hate each other. It's not like that at all. People come for the show and to enjoy. You can see two fans from different teams side by side. When there is a great goal, everyone shouts with joy.

Why did you choose to join MLS?

I made this choice because the project convinced me. It was very interesting, even unbelievable to me, even though I know I deserved it. To be honest, when a club really wants you, they are determined and you feel it. And personally, I preferred to sign with a club that really wanted me. Then, last year, they finished first in the championship in the regular season. They lost in the play off, but they are very strong. It's a great team and they are very ambitious.

Exactly, what is the project that Cincinnati proposed to you?

They told me that they had a very good squad, but that they were only missing a scorer, a real number 9. They had known me for a long time and they knew that it was complicated to bring in a young striker like me who scores regularly and who plays in Europe. But they were willing to do anything to get me, and that was enough to make me want to go.

Wouldn't you have preferred to stay in Europe? Playing in the Champions League wasn't your dream?

Of course playing the LDC makes me dream. But honestly the project of my new club also makes me dream. They knew how to attract me with real sporting offers. I think I can develop there, they will do everything for me to succeed. This decision can be a good springboard for me.

For several months, you have been waiting for your transfer. How did you experience this long wait?

This start to the season was complicated for me. I had a very good season last year, but the hardest part is to confirm. And it's very complex, especially in a period of great pressure. I know I could leave at any time so mentally the wait was difficult. Honestly, I had a lot of doubts but I worked even harder. Fortunately, today I am happy with my transfer.

Big clubs were interested in you this summer and ultimately nothing came to fruition. How is this done?

I was close to leaving Bruges this summer, but either I didn't want to or the clubs didn't get along. I was in high demand, particularly in the Bundesliga, the Premier League and Ligue 1, but nothing matched what I was offered in Cincinnati. Some clubs told me that I would be their priority as soon as their striker was sold. Then others told me that they already had an attacker but that when I came, I would take his number 9. And next to it, I have Cincinnati which pays for my plane ticket. I'm arriving in New York, I'm going to do the medical tests. Then the club shareholder sends his private jet to take me to the club. So I understood that I was really their priority and that they really wanted me.

“Without a training center, the club is dead”

Your record transfer to MLS would bring 3.2 million euros to Nîmes Olympique, what do you think?

It’s deserved because the NO gave me the chance to work. I know a lot of talented players who didn't have this chance, otherwise they would have shone just as well. I got it and I seized it so today they are rewarded for having trained and accommodated me. Then, the situation of the club saddens me a lot. I'm glad he's getting this money at a time when he needs it. I hope this will help them and that they will get through it. If this amount can contribute to this, I will be even happier.

Irony of fate. Rani Assaf closed the training center and finally a few years later, it was the fruit of the training that earned her.

Without a training center, the club is dead. To shine today in 2024, it is the training of the years 2016, 2017 and 2018 which could have made the Olympic Nîmes work. We cannot want to succeed if we eliminate the training center. You have to be patient and work. Everything is being prepared. And there, the leaders are killing everything. This decision was a real mistake. I am living proof, today I bring them more than three million euros.

Nîmes Olympique is currently in the National even though you knew them in Ligue 1, how do you feel?

I am very saddened by the situation. I arrived when the club was in Ligue 2. I experienced the rise, I saw the enthusiasm. When I arrived at the training center, my dream was to one day play with Ligue 2 Nîmes Olympique. My goal was to play with the professionals. Finally, I got better. I played in Ligue 1 with Nîmes, I even scored. It was incredible! And today, it's unfortunate to see the club in National.

You spent seven years at NO, what does this club mean to you?

He represents everything. I learned, I trained and I evolved. Everything I was able to take from Nîmes, I captured it in the mentality and in the desire to be a warrior. I learned in every way, on the field, in my training and outside. Nîmes Olympique is my DNA and my identity, quite simply. Everywhere I go, I bring back this strength that I acquired there. I also wanted to send a message to the Nîmes supporters. I would have liked to do what I did at the Brugge club in Nîmes. It's a shame that I wasn't as consistent as I was afterwards. It was a dream that I would have liked to accomplish. I always have the Nîmes supporters in my heart.

What can we wish you for this new adventure in the United States?

I want to perform and score goals. I really don't want to get hurt. Then in all cases, when I perform, I am happy.