He may have started his career with Arsenal but Roarie Deacon admits he is a big admirer of a top player from another London club – Eden Hazard.
The 25-year-old front man joined Dundee on Wednesday along with on-loan Celtic player Scott Allan.
Deacon played for Sutton United last season, scoring 11 goals in 48 appearances for the Vanarama National League side.
He put himself in the shop window as the club embarked on a memorable FA Cup run that only ended in the fifth round when they could not pull off a giant-killing act against the Gunners in the fifth round.
Deacon had subsequently been linked with moves to Fulham, Charlton and Cardiff but Dark Blues boss Neil McCann used his powers of persuasion to convince him to come to Dens and now he is hoping to have a similar impact on the team as his hero Hazard.
Deacon, who is a former England Under-19 player said: “I like Eden Hazard. He plays in the same position as I do.
“What I admire is that he doesn’t really take the easy option.
“He loves to get the ball to feet in any position on the pitch which I like to do and take players on.
“That’s exactly what my game is about.
“I know defenders hate playing against Hazard because he’s strong and can go both ways.
“Those players you kind of look up to and want to be like them.
“I hope defenders also dread playing against me.
“When they see me, they’re not going to know which way I’m going to go.
“That’s what I like to bring to any team I’m playing for. It’s just off the cuff with me.
“When I get the ball, I just try and make things happen – anything.
“I can play anywhere along the front, left right or through the middle.
“I just go out there and give it my best every game.”
With his contract at Sutton United up at the end of last season, Deacon was determined that at the age he is now, he had to make the right move for his career.
And after speaking to McCann, he was in no doubt that Dens was the correct destination for him.
Deacon said: “At the end of last season with Sutton United, I sat down and thought how I could make the next step and keep progressing?
“The gaffer rang my agent and had some long chats about me.
“He showed a lot of interest in me to get me up here. As soon as I spoke to him, I thought it was a no-brainer.
“I loved what he was telling me and straight away bought into his philosophy and everything he was saying.
“I just wanted to sign and show what I can do for Dundee.
“I’m very happy just to get it done and dusted.
“It was a long day coming up from London to get to Dundee but it’s all been worthwhile.
“This is the first time I’ve signed for a Scottish club so I’m naturally excited.
“I know there are a lot of big clubs in the Scottish Premiership like Celtic, Rangers and Hearts.
“So I just thought I had to come here and play against such quality players.
“Playing against those kinds of players week in, week out is only going to make me better.
“Scottish football is always on the television down in England.
“I always watched it whenever the matches were on, whether it was Saturday or Sunday.
“It wasn’t a hard decision for me to make. I know the league is of a good standard.
“I thought why not come here and show everyone what I can do?”
Deacon spent 10 years at Arsenal after joining as a kid and while he ultimately did not make the breakthrough he had hoped for, he still has some great memories of his time at the club.
He added: “I started off at Arsenal when I was nine years old and I left at the age of 19.
“I then went to Sunderland for a couple of years and after that I went onto Stevenage, Crawley and Sutton United.
“I had a few meetings on the training pitch with Arsene Wenger.
“I trained with the likes of Theo Walcott a few days a week and if they played in the reserve games, then playing with them was just unbelievable.
“He (Walcott) had endless talent.
“It was a fantastic experience overall.
“I also have some fantastic memories from my time at Sutton United.
“It was a great bunch of lads we had in the dressing-room.
“From the manager right through to the backroom staff, it made for a wonderful club including the fans.
“They all believed in me and showed a lot of love.
“I want to thank them for everything last season but now I’m here, I can’t wait to show the Dundee fans what I’m capable of.”
