After a long and arduous process, Adelaide United has finally been able to confirm the signing of Ghanaian striker Lloyd Owusu on a two-year deal.
The club had been in talks with the tall forward for a number of weeks, but it wasn’t until he passed a medical test in Perth on Wednesday that the Reds could secure the services of the 32-year-old.
Adelaide coach Aurelio Vidmar said Owusu will provide his team with another attacking option and is confident he will fit into the Reds’ culture.
“I feel that the way that we play he is certainly going to be able to give something to the team, no question about that,” Vidmar said.
“The few training sessions that I saw of him, he’s very strong in the air, and with his ability to hold the ball up and score goals, I think he’ll do a fine job in the A-League.”
“I think he’s going to be quite a valuable player for us. He’s got a fair bit of experience and he knows how to score goals so we’re looking for a big input from him.”
Owusu comes to South Australia from Brighton & Hove Albion, where he was on loan from fellow English League One club Cheltenham Town.
His seven goals in 14 appearances was a major factor in the Seagulls avoiding relegation this season.
The English-born Ghanaian admitted it was tough leaving the place he grew up in and played all his football, but he was excited to have the opportunity to play somewhere different and also in the Asians Champions League.
“I got a feel of the city while I was in Adelaide, and I was made really welcome by the club and the players were top draw, I felt like I had already been there for a season, all the coaching staff were brilliant,” Owusu said.
“I will be coming to Adelaide wanting to score goals, and hopefully get the club up where they want to be and picking up trophies, so if I can add a bit of quality to the team of what they already got, it’s going to be good for everyone.”
Owusu will return to England before making the permanent move to Adelaide in the first week of July.
