'Important to be more than a footballer' - Marcondes

Emiliano Marcondes has been promoted to the Premier League with both Brentford and Bournemouth

With two promotions to the Premier League under his belt you would think a third with Norwich City would be top of Emiliano Marcondes' wishlist as he settles into life in Norfolk.

But for the 29-year-old - a former Denmark Under-21 international who runs his own free-kick academy - there is a lot more to achieve besides success on the pitch.

"My friends say to have a third promotion to the Premier League would be amazing but for me it's to focus on developing every day as a person and a player," he told The Scrimmage podcast on BBC Radio Norfolk.

Marcondes joined the Canaries earlier this month after leaving Bournemouth in the summer and made his Norwich debut as a substitute in a 4-0 Championship win over Hull prior to the international break.

That victory moved Norwich up to seventh in the table after nine games.

But Marcondes is equally keen to continue contributing off the field via his work with the Right to Dream Academy which recruits and develops players from Africa.

"At [former club] Nordsjaelland we were the first club involved with Right to Dream and I felt a connection with the African players," Marcondes added.

"Those players don't get the same chances like those in Europe and it gave me a different view of the world.

"I've been to Africa a few times with my free-kick school and I've learned a lot as well from being in front of the boys and public speaking.

"I've tried to learn different skills and to have something else in my life other than just being a footballer and it's something I want to inspire other players to do."

Emiliano Marcondes (centre) was appearing on BBC Radio Norfolk's The Scrimmage with Chris Reeve and Rob Butler

Thorup was 'always asking questions'

Midfielder Marcondes spent eight years at FC Nordsjaelland where 35-year-old Norwich head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup started his coaching career.

Thorup worked in the Danish club's youth set-up before spending 16 months in charge of the first team.

"I've known Johannes since I was 14 and saw him as a young coach," Marcondes added.

"He was very serious and very structured in his style but you could see his development and his mindset as he was always asking questions."

Marcondes rejoined Nordsjaelland on loan from Bournemouth in January 2023, scoring three goals in eight appearances under Thorup before the coach moved to Norwich in May.

"I could see how he had developed as a coach and he has taken the style of play from Nordsjaelland to Norwich," said Marcondes.

"I thought the style of being very structured and pressing would suit playing in the Championship as you can get so many teams out of position and exploit their weaknesses.

"I think we are seeing that, especially in the last few games."

Marcondes was part of promotion-winning squads at both Brentford and Bournemouth, scoring in the west London club's play-off final win over Swansea in 2021.

But, with his current Canaries deal only taking him up to the end of the season, he is eager to hit the ground running at Carrow Road.

"I want to fit in [at Norwich] as soon as possible as my contract is only until the summer so I want to get into things quickly," he added.

"To get into a new team and a new place to live is not easy but my goal is to get connected."