The Wellington Phoenix have strengthened up their strike-force at a vital time with the signing of Eugene Dadi from the Perth Glory.
Perth were happy to let Dadi go after making just six appearances this season, even though he had a strong season last year with ten goals from 22 matches.
The 36-year-old Ivorian ace hopes he can be a part of history with his new club by helping his side into the play-offs for the first time.
“We’ve got a good group of players here, all motivated to achieve our goals and hopefully I can help.”
“We’ve got our goals for the moment and I’m going to try my best. It’d be nice to achieve something we haven’t done before and get into the play-offs.”
Dadi joins the club during the January transfer window with the Phoenix sitting in seventh position going into Saturday night’s match against the Brisbane Roar at Westpac Stadium.
It seems the Phoenix have been eyeing Dadi up for some time and he couldn’t be happier with the move.
“The boys (Perth Glory) came here earlier in the year, I didn’t play, but I travelled over here and I was approached after the game.”
“It’s funny because after the game we got together and they just asked me to come.”
“It was interesting because it was a pleasure to hear that from them.”
“It’s such a great opportunity to come and join the Phoenix.”
Phoenix fans must surely be excited at the prospect of Dadi teaming up with the in-form Paul Ifill, and with Chris Greenacre back from injury this week, their new striker could have one man either side of him up front this week.
“He (Ifill) is a good player, I’ve seen him play and I’m just happy to be here and do what I can.”
“We played together and he (Chris Greenacre) is a very good player.”
“He’s a finisher and he knows where the goal is.”
“I would say he’s more ruthless in front of goal than I am.”
The 188cm, 81kg striker doesn’t want to get too far ahead of himself though and admits he needs to get himself up to speed quickly with his new teammates.
“I need to find my feet and I need to work here at training and these training games aren’t too different.”
“I will do my best to be ready as soon as possible because I want to be part of it and if I can help then I want to.”
“Hopefully it won’t take me longer than four days.”
The Yellow Fever seem set to take a liking to their new acquisition with Dadi a regular crowd favourite during his long 20 season, 13-club career.
“I’m looking forward to meeting them.”
“I’ve been lucky to have a good relationship with the fans wherever I’ve been so hopefully they will like me and I might like them too.”
