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TORREON, Mexico -- Only one player from Africa has ever won Mexico's first division title, but Santos Laguna's Djaniny Tavares is hoping that number will double in coming days. The 24-year-old Cape Verde international is about to complete a year since signing for Los Guerreros and, while Mexico isn't exactly a well-trodden path for African talent, Djaniny has been impressing of late, netting a fine winner in the Clausura 2015 quarterfinal against Tigres last Sunday. The physical and speedy winger/center forward joined Santos from Portuguese first division side Nacional last June and was a virtual unknown this side of the Atlantic when he headed to Liga MX. Now, he's a key component of a championship-challenging team. With Santos Laguna just one step away from the Clausura final (the semifinal first leg ended 0-0 on Thursday against Chivas), ESPNFC caught up with Djaniny to see how his career is developing, to get his take on the potential interest in his services from the Premier League and how Mexico has treated him so far. Q: Was it difficult to adapt to life in Mexico? A: At the start it was anything but easy because I was far away from my family. That was difficult, because the customs are different than where I lived and I had to adapt to a new reality. Now I'm adapting more and more and I hope to keep getting better. Q: What did you know about Mexican football before you came? A: Honestly, I knew almost nothing. It is very far from where I lived. I didn't follow Mexican football and I thought Mexican football wasn't so good as it is. Now I'm seeing that the Mexican league is very good, very competitive, has very good players and I like being here. Q: How would you describe Mexican football now you know more about it? A: It's a calmer football, (playing) with the ball, not like in Europe where it is more vertical and quicker. Q: Is it fair to say (Santos Laguna coach) Pedro Caixinha has Santos playing more of a direct style this season? A: Yes, because Caixinha already knows European football and Mexican football and has his team playing as he wants. That's why it is more vertical because quicker football is better. It tires you, but I think it is better. Q: Would you like to return to European football one day? A: To tell you the truth, I'm fine here, but my dream is to play in the Premier League or the Spanish league. I have to wait for an opportunity. Q: There was a rumor about interest from a Premier League club over the past offseason, was it real? A: I don't know. I heard it as well, but there was nothing concrete to tell you. I keep working so an offer might come up because it is my dream. Q: You've played both on the wing and as a striker over the last few months. Which is your preferred position? A: I play well in both. I've been playing on the wing and as a number 9. The coach played with two center forwards and I like that as well. Wherever the coach puts me, I have to play, that's how it is. Q: How do people treat you in Torreon? There can't be many people from Cape Verde here! A: Mexican people are humble, they treat us well (Djaniny lives in Torreon with his wife and child) and I don't have anything bad to say because they are good people. They say hello, I say hello. Q: Do they know where Cape Verde is? A: I don't think so because I tell them, "I'm from Cape Verde," and they say, "Where is that?" (I say:) "It's in Africa, it is very nice, you should visit because it is cool." Q: Cape Verde's rise in the international game has become well known. What's the secret? A: All the 25 or more players that go to the national team all play outside (the country) in France, Spain, Romania, Hungary, everywhere. That's why. We know what European football is and it's a little bit quicker. We are a concentrated group who know each other well. At the start, it wasn't easy. We worked a lot on having a good group that is working to get better all the time. Q: Is it true you speak four languages? A: That's what they say (pointing at Santos' press team)! I speak Portuguese, (Cape Verdean) Creole -- which is my native tongue -- and Spanish. Creole is almost Portuguese, but it is difficult. Note: Djaniny can also get by in English, although the interview was conducted in Spanish. Q: Are you a European Union citizen? A: No. I didn't get EU citizenship. I was about to get it when I came here to Mexico.
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