Ayrshire clouds have a Silva lining as David says: “I want to stay”
Exclusive interview with Scotland’s lone Portuguese player
 David Silva, Kilmarnock’s fleet-of-foot Portuguese winger has opened his heart exclusively to PortuGOAL on how he came to find himself playing SPL football in Ayrshire from sunny Porto, via… Sofia.
The Lisbon native – with the slightly-more-famous namesake – is only 25, but already has six clubs under his belt since leaving Porto four years ago. A Killie player since former boss Mixu Paatelainen snapped him up following a trial last August on a two-year deal, Silva shared his thoughts on his chilly new home …and why he hopes to remain at Rugby Park.
“I came here for a two-week trial as my agent knew Mixu and that he was looking for a player with my characteristics,” said Silva. “I signed for two years so I’ve just started the second year of my contract but I’d be really happy to stay. I spoke with the chairman a few days ago about renewal and so we will see. It’s still early in the season.
“If I was not enjoying my time here, it would be: ‘bye!’”
David spent a year apiece at Bulgarian outfits Lokomotiv Mezdra and, latterly, CSKA Sofia before once again it was Hey, ho Silva away, with Rugby Park the unlikely destination. Silva netted five times from midfield last term in 33 appearances but that goal return came from only 18 starts as he struggled with niggling injuries that often kept him on the bench.
He’s yet to open his account this season for the same reason but when he was introduced on the half-hour at Tynecastle at the weekend it was his trademark pace which made space for his team-mates to leave Gorgie grasping the three points as fellow Portuguese Paulo Sergio was sent to the stand during his side’s 1-0 defeat.
Silva’s certainly been taken to heart by the Killie fans though, who see in him a mix of Continental trickery and aggressive direct running. He’s fast, and he knows it; “Pace is a good weapon!” he says with a smile.
He cites the birth of his daughter here as his best moment since arriving in Scotland and it seems churlish to ask him again in footballing terms but he says: “The best footballing moment? All of last season really, because we shocked everyone by finishing in the top six. This was a big surprise for many people, and we all loved that.”
“God willing, I have eight or nine years left in football but I am not homesick. Football is complicated, it comes down to opportunities. Right now my priority is to do well here. If I get the chance to renew my contract here then I’ll renew as I am happy but if something big happens and the club is happy for me to go, then I go.”
Silva’s streak around Europe has him better prepared for the culture clash than he might have been had he headed here straight from his homeland but he seems laid-back to the point of horizontal about his life here. “I have my family here and my friends come over from Portugal sometimes so all these things help you settle away from the pitch.
“The culture is different, but not as different as the weather.” You don’t say. “People say it’s always raining, it’s always dark, it’s always cold here. And you know what, that’s true!”
While there may be clouds over Ayrshire this winter (and spring, and summer), at least we can be hopeful that some of them will have a Silva lining.
by John Hunt
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Just a thought. Maybe you should be sending these directly to the PFP. I know that they supposedly have people tracking players abroad, but I highly doubt they are as proficient as you guys.
As for David, I wish him the best.
And mattdemedeiros, what exactly is he missing out on? He was at Porto's B squad and went to Tourizense (07/08) in Portugal's outer reaches, but yet found space at a top Bulgarian squad the following year. He has continued to bounce around, and by all accounts he seems to be happy in Scotland.
Maybe Portugals mid table clubs should be looking at guys like the David Silva's of the world, instead of going abroad. Davidd isn't missing out on anything. It's maybe those clubs that have dropped the ball.