Azaz Signs Off

For Finn Azaz, 2022/23 has been a case of mission accomplished.

Arriving at Argyle in the summer, on loan from Aston Villa, Finn set out with some targets for himself, and he has certainly achieved them, and then some.

Playing 39 times and scoring eight goals, Azaz quickly proved himself an integral part of the Argyle squad that racked up 101 points and gained promotion by winning Sky Bet League One.

It was Finn’s third consecutive season of loans out. His first saw him promoted from League Two with Cheltenham Town then, last season, he was named in the League Two Team of the Season whilst with Newport County.

Now, his upward trend has continued.

“I remember saying [that I wanted to] win games and develop,” Azaz told Argyle TV.

“I didn't expect us to win the league, but I didn't know the dressing room and how good the squad was.

“It couldn’t really have gone any better in terms of the development part and the winning games part. I had to develop my character when I was injured, and sometimes being out the team, sometimes flying - I was flying until I got injured.

“I think I've shown that I haven't found my ceiling. In League Two I did well enough to get out of it, League One I’ve done well enough to get out.

“The way the scouting system works, if you're unproven, then you have to prove yourself. I think I've proven myself this year. My target is to play in the Premier League, so in order to get to that, I have to prove it. I've done my. I've done what I needed to do in proving it this year.”

Azaz is unsure what the immediate future holds for him, but he has clearly revelled in his role at Home Park, and says that his experience has been aided by the relationships he has formed along the way.

Those include the bond forged within the playing squad, and the understanding he has built with manager Steven Schumacher.

“I’ve worked with a few managers now,” said Finn. “This year, I’ve had such a good relationship with him. I think he'd say the same. We have really similar mindsets and attitudes towards football. It's been smooth sailing from a manager point of view this year, which doesn't always happen for sure.

“I feel like everyone is a winner. Even when we lost a game, no-one was fazed. We just knew this was our job, just go and win [next time]. In terms of in the changing room, it was just really good relationships between everyone, everyone got along really well. It sounds cliche, but we did. Different personalities gelled, young or old, or from different places.

“I’ve loved the year and I think when I look back, I'll have really fun memories of it. It's flown by.

“Maybe that’s because we were winning games, but I think the city - living by the sea - the fans, the changing room, the staff - everything has just been a really fun year.”