Thomas Lam: ‘I’m Here to Fight and Win with Apollon

Thomas Lam, our new defender, shares his initial impressions of Apollon and Limassol, as well as his expectations for the upcoming season. With over 170 appearances in the Dutch Eredivisie, Lam is eager to contribute to our team’s success.

Welcome to Apollon! What are your first impressions of the team and the city?

My first impressions are very positive. My teammates welcomed me warmly from the first moment, and the city looks amazing. The facilities around the club are excellent, and I’m really happy to be here.

Were there other offers, and what convinced you to choose Apollon?
Yes, there were a few offers, but I ultimately chose Apollon because the overall picture was the best for me. Life here is great, and football is improving every year, with the level already being quite high. I had a good conversation with the coach and the people at the club, who informed me about the club’s progress and development over the past few years.

How do you think your transfer to Cyprus will affect your family life?
I believe it will be very good for my family. Both of my kids have some health issues, and the doctor recommended a warmer climate. The sun in Cyprus shines almost constantly, which will benefit their health and provide better living conditions. If my family is happy, then I am happy too.

What do you think you can bring to the team?
I’m an experienced player who has played in many good leagues. As a central defender, I like to start the game from the back and contribute to the development of play. I think my greatest asset is my ability on the ball and my contribution to building the game from defense. I also have good game reading skills, and I’ll try to help the team with my abilities.

What’s your opinion on the level of Cypriot football, and how do you think you’ll adapt?
Although I hadn’t watched much Cypriot football, from my first week here, I can see that the team has a lot of quality. I also heard from other players that there are very good teams here. Apollon is a big club, and we have to fight until the end of the season to achieve our goals. I came here for success, and I’ll try to achieve that. Adapting to the climate will take some time, but I like the sun, and I’ll get used to it.

Your last appearance for the Finnish national team was in 2022. Do you believe that your transfer to Apollon can help you earn a spot back in the national team?
Yes, I believe it can. I spent a year in Australia, which is very far away, so I was a bit out of the picture. I returned to the Netherlands and had a very good season, but the coach hasn’t given me the chance to return to the national team yet. I was on the waiting list a few times, so I’m close. I’ll try to show that I deserve this spot and hope to be called up again this year.

Are you ready to contribute to the team right away?
I haven’t played 90 minutes in preseason yet, but I’m close to 100%. Physically, I feel I’m at 80%, but I’m improving every day. I think I’ll soon be ready to play a full match.

What would you like to say to the Apollon fans who are eagerly waiting to see the team in action?
I hope to make you smile this year, and I’ll fight for you all season. Let’s create beautiful memories, and I hope we achieve our goals by the end. We’re working hard every day to make it happen.