Latte Lath credits Carrick as he settles into Union Berlin loan spell

Emmanuel Latte Lath has credited Michael Carrick with giving him the confidence that helped establish his career at Middlesbrough, as the striker adapts to a new loan spell at Union Berlin. In an interview published by BBC Sport on Saturday, the 27-year-old discussed his return to Europe and the support he has encountered in Germany.

Latte Lath joined Union on loan in the summer after a spell at Atlanta United that, according to the BBC's report, fell short of expectations. His move to the American club had made him Major League Soccer's most expensive signing at the time. He said the passion of Union's supporters had surprised him and given him additional motivation, while Berlin's cultural diversity was another attraction.

The forward traced an important stage of his development to his arrival at Middlesbrough in 2023, following a productive loan at Swiss club St. Gallen. Carrick was then Boro's head coach. Latte Lath told the BBC that the former England midfielder's calm approach, and his ability to choose the right words in both difficult and successful periods, had been particularly valuable. He scored 29 goals in 67 games for Middlesbrough before moving to Atlanta.

That progress followed a less settled period in Italy. Latte Lath joined Atalanta's academy in 2015 and scored against Juventus in the Coppa Italia two years later, on his third appearance for the club. It proved to be his only competitive goal for Atalanta and his final competitive appearance in their colours. He subsequently spent five years on loan at eight clubs.

Reflecting on those years, Latte Lath said he had found the tactical demands of Italian football restrictive and difficult to navigate as he tried to advance his career. His football education had begun very differently in Ivory Coast, where he played informal games with friends before moving to Italy at the age of eight to join his father.

He recalled arriving without experience of an organised team or playing in boots, then using football to help him settle while learning a new language. Now facing another adjustment in Germany, Latte Lath said his upbringing among people from different backgrounds made him feel he could fit into Berlin.