Brisbane Roar’s playing squad has been finalised by Head Coach Ange Postecoglou with the signing of Canadian international midfielder Issey Nakajima-Farran on a one-year deal.
Nakajima-Farran was a free agent after recently completing a successful stint with Danish Superliga outfit AC Horsens where he played a part in the club-s 2008/09 UEFA Cup campaign.
Capped 24 times for the Canadian national team, Nakajima-Farran brings the squad number to 20 for the Hyundai A-League 2011/12 season.
While Australian football supporters may be unfamiliar with Nakajima-Farran, he is quite familiar with Australian football thanks to some local connections in Denmark.
“I-ve heard a lot about the A-League,” Nakajima-Farran said. “There are quite a few Australian players playing in Denmark.
“I know David Williams who is now at Melbourne and also (Qantas Socceroos goalkeeper) Nathan Coe.
“It was Nathan who talked me into signing for Brisbane, he told me a lot of good things about the style of play and the football philosophy of coach Ange.
“The technical way the club plays is something which is very appealing to me.”
Born in Canada, Nakajima-Farran spent his formative years as a junior footballer in Japan and England at Tokyo Verdy and Crystal Palace respectively.
The bulk of his senior career has been spent in the Danish Superliga and he has twice been instrumental in helping clubs gain promotion to Denmark-s top league.
An attacking midfielder who is comfortable on either wing, and even centrally, the 27-year-old said he was looking forward to bringing another attacking dimension to Brisbane Roar-s play.
“I usually play left wing, even though I-m right footed,” he said.
“I like to penetrate down the sideline and get the ball into the box with my left foot.
“I also like to switch wings with the other winger.
“Opposition defences like to watch video and work out how sides play, so I like to be able to switch sides to keep them unbalanced.”
There was one final component which helped Nakajima-Farran decide to put pen to paper on a one-year deal – the climate.
“I-m really looking forward to playing in a warm country,” he said.
“After five years playing in Denmark, I-d like to see that bright shiny thing in the sky!”
Brisbane Roar Head Coach said he was pleased with his final signing before the start of the season, believing Nakajima-Farran-s versatility would be a welcome addition to the playing squad-s arsenal.
“He-s a player who has played a decent level past few years in the Danish Superliga,” Postecoglou said.
“He played the first three games of the current season and scored a goal, so we know he-s coming to us in good shape.
“He-s looking to resurrect his international career by moving somewhere to play the kind of football he likes to play.
“Issey-s the right age, he can play in a number of positions in the front half and he-ll be a good fit for us.
“He can score goals and if you look at the way we play we need our midfielders to contribute.
“Last season Thomas Broich, Matt McKay and Mitch Nichols all contributed important goals.
“I think Issey will help us in that area. He gives us another attacking option that will help us with the way we play.
“With losing Matt McKay we had a hole to fill had to work hard to get someone of quality.
“As soon as I found out he was available I had no hesitation contacting him and I-m glad he-s agreed to join us.”
Issey Morgan Nakajima-Farran
D.O.B: 16 May 1984
Born: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Height: 1.78 m
Previous clubs: 2003 Albirex Niigata (Japan – 0 games, 0 goals), 2004/06 Albirex Niigata Singapore FC (Singapore – 45 games, 26 goals, 2006/07 Vejle Boldklub (Denmark – 44 games, 13 goals), 2007/09 FC Nordsjælland (Denmark – 46 games, 8 goals), 2009/11 AC Horsens (Denmark – 55 games, 9 goals)
International honours: 2006-present – Canada – 24 games, one goal
