Striker Bruce Djite is determined to be at his lethal best for the Reds’ opening match of the new Hyundai A-League season against Perth Glory on October 9.
Striker Bruce Djite is determined to be at his lethal best for the Reds- opening match of the new Hyundai A-League season against Perth Glory on October 9.
Djite has had an injury free pre season since arriving in Adelaide in mid July from a loan stint in China, giving the 24 year old an excellent foundation on which to launch his goal scoring assault.
Djite-s performances in the Reds- practise matches against local clubs over the past month are enough of an early indication that he is a vastly improved and smarter player than the one that sprung onto the scene for the Reds as a teenager back in 2006.
Since his 35 appearances and 11 goals with the Reds in his first stint at the club, Djite has plied his trade in the tough Turkish league with Gençlerbirligi and Divarbakirspor (on loan), represented the Qantas Socceroos and was a major factor in Gold Coast United reaching last season-s Preliminary Final.
Now, an older and more experienced, mature Djite is setting the bar even higher of how he wants to play on the field and the impact he wants to have in games.
“I think it-s all going quite well,” Djite said of his progress leading up to the start of the season.
“There is certainly a lot more improvement to be had but that-s why we-ve got another seven weeks before the season starts. Hopefully by the time the season starts, I-ll be 100 per cent and be able to give my best performances.”
With ten new additions to the Reds- squad from last season (including young duo Paul Izzo and Jacob Melling, who will join the squad on January 1), the lengthy pre season could prove a blessing in disguise.
The season kicking off two months later than in previous years gives United and all of the clubs added time for players to work on combinations and develop a familiarity on the field.
“I think the team is progressing quite well,” Djite said.
“I don-t think we played our best (during the practise matches), but they are just steps we-re taking to move forward, besides we don-t want to be peaking right now, we want to wait until October 9 against Perth.”
Preparing for his third Hyundai A-League season in a Reds shirt, Djite said fans could expect the similar passion and commitment for the club that he showed previously.
“I think they (the fans) should expect me to give 110 per cent to the shirt, to the club and to themselves, as I do for the team and the coach,” Djite said.
“That-s what I-ll be doing and what I-ve done that at every club I-ve played at, and I plan on continuing down that road.”
From that statement, there is no questioning Djite-s dedication to the Reds- cause this season. Together with van Dijk, it sounds an ominous warning for the rest of the league.
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