Nathan Opoku has revealed how firing a perfect 10 strikes would repay a seismic slice of gratitude he has for a Newport County AFC, the club that handed him a lifeline to play, rescuing him from a rocky road of uncertainty.
Going back 20 months Accra-born Ghanian striker Opoku, who recently extended his Exile loan until the end of this season from Championship Leicester City, pondered his recovery after he broke his leg in action.
The lean raider, now 24, had damaged the tibia and fibula bone while contesting a loose ball, sickeningly colliding with Westerlo keeper Nick Gillekens just six minutes after leaving the bench for OH Leuven in a fierce Belgium First Division clash.
The long, often dark, period of recuperation followed - such a stark contrast from his time on the West and East coasts of the USA university campuses when rapier-quick Opoku's magical feet ghosted past defenders.
Opoku was a young star in the Land of the Free as he lite up the pitches at Kentucky's Lindsey Wilson College and the Big Apple's Syracuse University, a vibrant 1870 Seat of Learning, known for it's colourful diversity.
The attacker's astonishing goals per game and crackling ability in teenage and men's soccer at Ventura County Fusion ensured his status as top pick spot in the MLS SuperDraft - but Europe and the switch to the King Power Stadium attracted Opoku over two years ago.
He reflected, "Leicester leant me out to OH Leuven. I found myself behind three other strikers at the club. But I got my opportunity when they all got injured. I started to score some goals in my first season and all was going well until that injury.
Opoku blasted five strikes in just 13 starts in Belgium to display huge promise before the set back in late-April 2024.
He acknowledged, "I still have the pins in my leg today. I was settling in Belgium and then got that injury. I have been building back from it since."
Opoku, who scored his third goal for the Exiles against League Two leaders Bromley in a 2-1 defeat on New Year's Day, will always be grateful for County giving him the opportunity to find himself again - via a loan last summer.
Cracking with emotion, he said, "I was still coming back from a long-term injury, of course. I hadn't played many games. It was difficult for a team to have me in. Newport gave me a chance to play again. I am willing to give them everything to pay back their faith in me.
"It does mean a great deal to me that Newport took that chance."
Opoku believes he will now thrive under master coaches Christian Fuchs and Mark Smith at Rodney Parade saying, "The management have altered our style to one that suits me. We are getting the ball on the floor more and retaining possession. I don't think those long balls ever suited us."
Asked about his personal goal aim, Opoku boomed, "Every season I set myself a target of double digits. I think 10 is well within my capability. That would be perfect."