Adelaide Snap Up Croat Defender

ADELAIDE United have boosted their defence in the wake of Iain Fyfe's departure with the signing of Croatian defender Dario Bodrusic for the remainder of the season.

Bodrusic's appointment to the Reds follows the arrival of versatile utility Osama Malik from North Queensland Fury and the duo’s addition has given United Head Coach Rini Coolen options in filling Fyfe's absence.

Coolen and the club had been scanning the globe in the lookout for a central defender before Bodrusic came up on the radar thanks to the connections of one of the Reds’ owners.

"We were put onto Dario through contacts of Bruno (Marveggio), and since then I have heard a lot of good things about him from people we have spoken to,” Coolen said.

"He is a left footed central defender which is a great benefit to have, he can also play in other positions, he is still a good age at 27 and he has had international experience, so these are all reasons why we have decided to bring him in.

"From the footage that we’ve seen of him we think he’s worth having a look at, plus in the short term the most important thing is that we can bring him in now and it gives us a chance to look at him for the future."

Bodrusic represented Croatia nine times at Under 21 level, with his career to date unfolding predominantly in his homeland, although he did spend two stints playing in Albania.

Coolen is optimistic about what Bodrusic can bring to the Reds on the field and he is confident the 27 year old will be able to acclimatise and settle into the squad quickly as United battles to secure second spot ahead of the finals.

Bodrusic is expected to arrive in Adelaide on Sunday.

Dario BODRUSIC

DOB 25 Jan 1983 (Bugojno, Bosnia)

Age 27

Nationality Croatian

Position Defender

Height 186cm

Weight 76kg

Club History

2010/11 Rudes (Croatia)

2009/10 Istra 1961 (Croatia)

2008/09 Dinamo (Albania)

Rijeka (Croatia)

2007/08 Dinamo (Albania)