Nashville SC has been in search of a reliable goal scorer in the number nine position since their entry into MLS in 2020. However, with the arrival of Sam Surridge as their third Designated Player striker, hopes are high that their quest for a prolific scorer may finally come to an end. Surridge's no-nonsense attitude and clear understanding of his role were evident in his introductory press conference.
Coach Gary Smith's message to Surridge was simple yet demanding: "You're going to get loads of chances, and I've just got to finish them off." The English striker eagerly embraced his responsibilities, stating, "Ultimately I want to score goals, and hopefully that's what I can bring to the team. That's my job, and I'm excited."
The journey to acquire Surridge was an extensive one, involving the collaboration of the entire coaching and technical staff well before the 2023 MLS season began. The club invested a reported $6.5 million in his transfer fee, potentially making him their most expensive player to date. With such an investment, the expectations for the former Nottingham Forest striker to become a consistent and prolific scorer are understandably high.
Having left Nottingham Forest with a sense of pride and appreciation from the fans for his hard work, Surridge aims to replicate the same dedication and work ethic in Nashville. "Here, I think I'm going to do the same. I'm going to work hard, and whenever I get my chance, I'm going to score... Hopefully, I'll go on to break records here."
One of the primary reasons Nashville SC pursued Surridge was to complement the play of their star midfielder Hany Mukhtar. Surridge had nothing but praise for Mukhtar, recognizing him as an "amazing player" and the reigning MVP of the league. He acknowledged the role he's expected to play in supporting Mukhtar's performances and said, "I think we can work really well and feed off of each other. He's a great player, looking to do it again, and hopefully, I can help him do that."
Following his signing, the Englishman's debut could be set to take place next week in the Leagues Cup knockout stage. Nashville sit second in their group and qualify for the next phase of the tournament if Colorado fail to get a result against Toluca.
