Adelaide United have announced their second major signing in a week revealing former Dutch international Andwele Slory will join the club in the coming days.
After unveiling Uruguayan midfielder Francisco Usucar last week, United confirmed Slory has also signed on as a guest player with both eligible to play in the Reds’ January 2 clash against Brisbane Roar and both a possibility to extend their stay beyond the current season.
Slory spent three years at Dutch giant Feyenoord where he made 50 appearances and scored seven goals and he was rewarded for his form with two caps for the Dutch national team.
Reds coach Rini Coolen admitted he remembers the winger from when he was coach at FC Twente and was surprised the 28 year-old hadn’t been snapped up by a bigger club.
“We were looking for an extra attacker who can play as a winger and bring some speed into the game, also someone with experience and that’s what Slory has,” Coolen said.
“I know him from when he played in Holland, he was playing with one of the best clubs in Holland, Feyenoord, and he also played a few games for the national team.”
“In a normal situation he would probably sign for a bigger club, but we tried to convince him to come over here, and that’s fantastic that he’s taken that decision and I think he’s a person that can help us.”
After leaving Feyenoord and the Duth Eredivisie, Slory endured two unsuccessful stints with West Bromich Albion in the English Premier League and then Levski Sofia in Bulgaria.
Coolen said Slory was looking forward to working with a Dutch coach and Dutch system once again and is delighted United can provide the winger with that opportunity.
“He wasn’t feeling happy, he wants to have fun again, wants to play football and that gave us the opportunity to get him,” Coolen said.
“He wanted to start working with a Dutch coach again and get a good feeling back that he has lost in the last couple of months.”
“He knows the system we play, he can play on both wings, he has spoken to a lot of people about the level of this league and after I spoke with him on the phone, a couple of days later he called me back and said he’s happy to come over with his family and give it his best shot.”
The Dutchman admitted he was in the hunt for a player who could immediately make an impact and bolster the Reds squad.
But warned Reds fans not to set their expectations too high and allow Slory time to settle in after two unsuccessful spells in Europe.
Coolen acknowledged it may take some time for his new signing to get back to his best but admitted it would be worth the wait, tipping Slory to be a fantastic player for the Hyundai A-League.
“We were looking for a player who could help us directly, and to be honest there aren’t that many players available of that age and that quality, so I was surprised when his name came up,” Coolen admitted.
“He’s still only 28 and for him, he just needs to come and play a good season somewhere and he’s looking forward to doing that with us. If we can get Slory back to how he was playing in Holland a year and a half ago, then he will be a fantastic player for our league.”
“Even with the great level he has played at, I don’t think it’s fair to bring that kind of pressure on one player, he will need some time, he didn’t have a great season last year.”
“When a player of his level comes to Australia there’s always something not right with how they are going at this moment. At the moment he doesn’t feel like he’s doing well, so we have to get his confidence back, get his fitness back and that’s the first thing that is important for me.”
