Daily Sun: First of all, how did the move to Bashundhara Kings come to life? 
Cuba Mitchell: After leaving Sunderland and obviously, I was a free agent and didn't have a team. I kind of explored some options in England and then when Bashundhara contacted me, it was a project that I was interested in. It was a project that I wanted to be involved in. I knew I could come over here and maximise my performance and push on from there.That's kind of why I made the move and that's something that I wanted to do.

Daily Sun: You’ve come from Sunderland U-21 to Bashundhara Kings — a move many see as unconventional. What convinced you this was the right step in your career?
Cuba: Looking at it from a fan's point of view, I can see why they may have been confused or annoyed and surprised at the move, but I think they just need to kind of just support me the way they have been. Don't look at the negatives, look at the positives - a Bangladeshi origin player from England category one academy coming to the league which is quite rare. In my head, I think this will make a lot of players feel the confidence to make this move as well. For example, when Hamza came to the national team which made other players like Shamit, myself want to play for the national team. This could be another step in the right direction for Bangladesh football and hopefully many players can start coming to the league and it can just keep on getting better and better.

When Bashundhara contacted me, it was a project that I was interested in. It was a project that I wanted to be involved in.

Daily Sun: You’re only 19. I guess there were other offers for you from the English teams beside Bashundhara Kings?
Cuba: In England there were Under-21 teams offering, which I didn't really want to go back into. I wanted to start playing senior men's football and start my experience. As far as senior football, there was nothing abroad. I think I saw a lot of things in the media circulating that I rejected offers from other countries but it's not true. As far as senior football in England, it would have been a lower league. I wanted to go higher. That’s why I think Bashundhara playing in the BPL, and for this was the best option for me going forward.

Daily Sun: You’ve played football in England all your life. Bangladesh doesn’t really have the infrastructure like England. So, how prepared are you to adapt to this system and what challenges do you think you'll face?
Cuba: I'm prepared. I don't think I'm better than anyone. I don't think I'm better than any of the local players. I don't come here from a high place thinking that I don't want to kind of steep down to this level. It’s not like that. I don't think I'll have any problems with the infrastructure. I mean If the local player is already playing here and doing well as Bashundhara has for years, I think it will be fine. It's just something that I'll have to adapt to. So it might be a little change, but it's something that I can adapt to quite easily.

Daily Sun: Bashundhara Kings have dominated Bangladesh football for a while now, and they are eyeing the continental challenge. How do you think you can play your role in that?
Cuba: I think I can play a really big role in it. Obviously that was one of the other things that made me want to come to join Bashundhara, playing in these big continental  tournaments which a lot of players don't get the opportunity to do. I hope I can play a big key role for them. Obviously we’ve progressed into the group stage now of the AFC Challenge League. I'm really excited for that and hopefully we can go all the way and do big things for Bangladesh. 

Daily Sun: What has been your first impression of Bashundhara Kings as a club? The facilities, the fans, the teammates….
Cuba: I was really surprised coming here with the standard of training and the players, they are really high quality. Some fans may not see that and think other leagues are quite better, but I do really feel like Bashundhara has a really good squad and we can push on for titles this year. Joining from England, I've got along with all of the players quite quickly and all the staff. So yeah, I feel quite settled and I'm happy here. 

I was really surprised coming here with the standard of training and the players, they are really high quality. Some fans may not see that and think other leagues are quite better, but I do really feel like Bashundhara has a really good squad and we can push on for titles this year.

Daily Sun: You were expected to feature for the U-23 side in Bahrain. What happened to that? And what’s the update as of now?
Cuba: I got told by the club that they wanted me to spend preseason with the team, which was fine with me. But I'm not sure how it looks going forward. I haven't been told anything yet. I haven't got any confirmation but I'm sure it will get cleared up in the next few days. 

Daily Sun: What’s your goal, maybe for the next five years?
Cuba: I hope Bashundhara can play in the biggest continental Asian tournament and we can do well enough there. Hopefully Bangladeshi football can grow while I’m here. And for me, one of my goals is to make the biggest impact on Bangladeshi football that I possibly can and I think making this move was the best way to do that.

Daily Sun: What about the national team? There are a lot of expat players coming in, and it looks like we’re building a good squad.
Cuba: For the national team, I think everyone's got their eyes set on qualifying for the World Cup. Maybe not now, but in the next few years, I think that's something that we can definitely do, especially with the squad that we're building. So I think that'll be the best thing to give back to the fans. And that will be a special moment if we can accomplish that. 
Young players like me and Fahmedul hopefully can make a really good impact for the next 10 years. I think we’ve got a really good squad with Hamza, Shamit and all the players who are playing here in the BPL and the national side. They are really talented and good players. I think it’s an exciting time for Bangladesh football.Hopefully, the squad can kind of gel together as best as possible and we can just keep winning things. 

I think everyone's got their eyes set on qualifying for the World Cup. Maybe not now, but in the next few years, I think that's something that we can definitely do, especially with the squad that we're building.

Daily Sun: And do you think playing in the BPL can help you develop as a player more for this? 
Cuba: Yes, 100 percent. I mean, it's not something I was thinking about when joining Bashundhara, I didn't really think about how it would affect the national team at all. But now that I’m here, I've got to know a lot of the players who play for Kings who also play for the national team, which will help me perform better as I know the players and I feel more comfortable with them and I've played with them before. Hopefully, that will make a positive impact. 

Daily Sun: Fans are already curious about you - how you play and how you're going to contribute. So what can they expect from you?
Cuba: I think they can expect the same for me which they have seen online before I joined Bashundhara - creativity, technique, goal scoring assists. I'm really excited to kind of give back to them, what they've given to me all the support and and I can't wait, really. 

Daily Sun: Beyond the pitch, how have you found your life in Bangladesh so far, since this is your first visit to this country? Did you get to explore anything? 
Cuba: Yeah, I have explored a bit. Obviously, it's a lot different to what I'm used to in England, but I'm enjoying it. I'm embracing the culture and yes, I really like it. And I just want to explore more, really. My mother's origin is in Sylhet, hopefully, I can visit there sometime.