Sarpsborg 08 has signed 26-year-old Chris Kouakou on a 2.5-year deal. Kouakou comes from Qarabag and has experience from good leagues. - In «Chriso» we get a midfielder with high frequency. He covers a lot of space and is intense in his playing style. At the same time, he is good with the ball and comes to us with experience from good leagues. That he previously played in Midtjylland also makes him familiar with Scandinavian football and culture, says sports director Hampus Andersson. Kouakou can play both as a central midfielder and as a holding midfielder. - I'm a player who contributes with intensity and pressure in the game. I like to drive the ball forward and set the tempo in the game - from defense to attack. I'm a player who always wants to play forward. I'm not stationary, but like to play with tempo and a forward-thinking mindset, says Sarpsborg 08's new midfielder. Kouakou comes from Qarabag and has signed a contract until June 30, 2028. - We have worked with «Chriso» for a longer period. Now the timing is right. He comes in with skills that complement our other midfielders. «Chriso» is ready to debut already against Häcken on Saturday, says Andersson. «Chriso» arrived in Sarpsborg late on Thursday evening and has completed a medical test on Friday. He trains in the morning with his new teammates at the stadium. ## Loves tempo and pressure 26-year-old has previously played for Sfaxien in Tunisia, Midtjylland and together with Andreas Nibe in Mafra. In addition, he has been part of and got minutes when Qarabag qualified for the Champions League this season. - When I heard that Sarpsborg wanted me, I was so happy. For me, Norwegian football is quite like English football. It's high tempo, intensity and physicality. I love it. In Norwegian football, you see that you can take new steps and that's what I also want. As a football player, you're never finished learning, says «Chriso».