Queensland Roar’s attacking stocks have been bolstered for the A-League 2009/10 season with the signing of Brazilian winger Henrique.
The 23-year-old has signed a one-year deal after impressing the club’s coaching staff in a four week trial.
During that period, Henrique – wearing the No. 33 shirt – made two bench appearances for the club in the recently concluded A-league finals series.
While still caught up in the whirlwind nature of his visit to Australia, the diminutive Brazilian is keen to make an even bigger impact in the upcoming season.
“It has been a unique experience so far, I never expected things to happen so fast as I came here thinking about next season,” Henrique said before returning to Brazil.
“I’m very happy to know what I showed during training and the little bit during the game was enough to gain a contract.”
“I do believe I have more to show everyone, especially with a full pre-season under my belt.”
“It won’t be easy to be in the starting team but I’ll be giving 110 per cent to prove I deserve a starting spot during the season.”
Although only with the club a short time, Henrique felt the same pain as his new teammates when they fell one game short of the grand final, something he’s not keen to repeat in his first full season with the Roar.
“Being able to be part of two such important games will help me out next season,” he said.
“The feelings I have now is to make sure next season we do not lose an important game next season.”
“I don’t want to feel that vibe again as we did after the loss in Adelaide.”
“Hopefully I can be the lucky charm next season so we can achieve the goal of qualifying for Asia and maybe making the grand final.”
Frank Farina believes Henrique’s addition will give the squad more depth and expects, with a full pre-season under his belt, the Brazilian to offer the club plenty of attacking power.
“He’s young and he’s hungry,” Farina said. “It’s a long pre-season and I think it’s a good thing for him to settle into the new environment, new country, new culture. That, I think, is a real positive.”
“It is difficult for foreign players to slot in, as I’ve said, but hopefully he can do that and contribute to what we want to achieve.”
