‘Daddy’ Hefele ready to take care of old pal
NOTTINGHAM Forest may just have found their new cult hero. German defender Michael Hefele signed on deadline day from Huddersfield Town and immediately set about endearing himself to the Reds’ fan base, with his comments about Mull of Kintyre. Now, the 27-year-old is looking forward to renewing acquaintances with former Terriers teammate Joe Lolley, with the pair friends from their spell together in west Yorkshire. Hefele, who clearly has quite the comical sense of humour, admits to being Lolley’s “daddy” at the John Smith’s Stadium, before the 25-year-old from Redditch left to join Aitor Karanka’s Reds on deadline day in January.
“I saw him for 10 minutes (after signing for Forest), he missed me. I was his daddy in Huddersfield. I feel proud now that I can look after him properly,” said Hefele, who agreed a three-year deal on Trentside in a deal worth around £350,000 on Thursday.
“I say ‘son, you can go to Nottingham (Forest), it’s no problem’ – but now, I have to help him again, this is no problem.”
The popular centre-back was adored at his former club, having played a pivotal role in securing their first top-flight promotion in 45 years just over a 12 months ago, and believes having Lolley around will help him settle much quicker into his new surroundings.
“It’s a little bit easier for me (coming to a new club) because I know this guy and he’s a very good character and I like him,” said Hefele.
Forest supporters have widely welcomed his arrival, which will only add further to their impressive strength in quality at the heart of the back four, and he describes just what fans can expect when he breaks into Karanka’s first team. “(I’m) full throttle, 100 percent passion, (with) a lot of heart because this is the way I play. I leave everything out there on the pitch,” he told the Reds’ website.