Having hailed from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, full back Matt Olosunde could be forgiven for not fully appreciating the magnitude of the upcoming all-South Yorkshire clash with Doncaster Rovers this weekend, but in spite of that, the former Manchester United youngster has embraced his new club’s cultute and is relishing derby day this weekend.
The 21-year-old has shone since arriving in Rotherham this summer, turning in a series of impressive performances for Paul Warne’s side and has already tasted some local rivalry in the Carabao Cup clash with near-neighbours Sheffield Wednesday.
With the chance to potentially feature in another derby day atmosphere in Doncaster on Saturday, Olosunde expressed his excitement ahead of the trip to the Keepmoat Stadium.
“I'm very excited. It would be great to get the opportunity to play in another local derby,” he told www.themillers.co.uk.
“It would be massive for all those fans coming across to support us if we could get a win and we could celebrate in front of them.”
The one-time Manchester United Academy player is flourishing in his maiden season as a full professional with the Millers and feels he is improving week-by-week under Warne and his staff, despite an already bright start to the 2019/20 campaign.
“It feels good to have the manager and the fans behind me and it is certainly pushing me to keep doing my best and leave it all out on the field,” Olosunde continued.
“I feel like pushing on is a big part of my game so the fact that he encourages that is really good for me and I think that has shown in the performances.
“I think my crossing is definitely coming along and it is all coming a little bit more naturally to me now. Hopefully I'll be able to get some assists this season as well.”
The American continued to add that he believes the Millers will grow into the current season following the arrival of 12 new players, including himself this summer, as the team chemistry grows with each game in the fixture list.
“I think it has been decent start far. Everyone has come to know each other and I think we're starting to find each other and gel a bit more,” Olosunde said.
“I think that is starting to show on the field too and the chemistry is starting to come out. I think as the season goes along, it's going to keep getting better.”