Hibs outcast Elias Melkersen insists his league goal drought was because of a lack of chances created for him at the Easter Road club.
The Norwegian striker completed a loan move to the Netherlands this week with Sparta Rotterdam, who will have to stump up £1million to land the 20-year-old if they make the switch permanent. Since signing from Bodo-Glimt a year ago, Melkersen failed to score a single goal in 23 Hibs league games with 12 of those as a starter. He did manage to score two in the Scottish Cup against Motherwell and one in the League Cup against Clyde.
And he reckons his lack of goal could be put down to being starved of service, after being unveiled at the ambitious Rotterdam club who are sixth in the Eredivisie. Melkersen said: "The Scottish league is very tough physically. There's a lot of intensity and I think I have toughened up playing there.
"I thought I was pretty tough before then, but I feel even tougher now. We didn't create many chances and the team didn't do as well as we wanted, so yes that was a reason I didn't score many goals.
"I heard about the interest from Sparta a long time ago actually, certainly several months ago. I was very happy about their interest and I wanted to come here. It was nice to get noticed by a big club like Sparta.
"I'm quick, with good movement and good with both feet. I am a hard worker and everyone will see that I try to get the jersey here.
"I want to play as many games as I can here. I want to develop as a player and I think the Eredivisie is the place to do it and hopefully, we can try and claim European qualification.
"It helps that there are a couple of Norwegian players here already and they will help me settle in."
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