Owusu Signs Up For Adelaide

ADELAIDE United have confirmed the signing of Lloyd Owusu on a two year deal after the striker passed a medical test in Perth yesterday.

The announcement is a significant coup for The Reds, with the Hyundai A-League club beating a number of offers from other potential clubs in securing Owusu's signature.

United Coach Aurelio Vidmar said the 32 year old will provide United with another option up forward and that he is sure to fit in well to The Reds' structure.

"I feel that the way that we play he is certainly going to be able to give something to the team, no question about that," Vidmar said.

"The few training sessions that I saw of him, he's very strong in the air, and with his ability to hold the ball up and score goals, I think he'll do a fine job in the A-League.

"I think he's going to be quite a valuable player for us. He's got a fair bit of experience and he knows how to score goals so we're looking for a big input from him."

The English-born former Ghana international has been deliberating over his playing future for the past month, Owusu spending over a week in Adelaide checking out the club and the city.

Having played all his club football in England, Owusu said there were a number of factors to consider in his decision to relocate to Australia, but having committed to the Reds, he is delighted to offer his services to the AFC Champions League and Hyundai A-League finalists.

"He had a fair look at the club," said Vidmar. "He did his homework on us as we did on him and it's never an easy decision to leave your home country to go and play abroad, especially when it's so far away.

"But I think he saw enough in Adelaide and the Adelaide United Football Club that he would be very comfortable here.

"He's going to be a player who is going to be a significant contributor for our team and if he can get into double figures in terms of goal scoring that will be perfect."

Owusu comes to Adelaide from Brighton & Hove Albion, where he was on loan from fellow English League One club Cheltenham Town. His record of a goal every two games in 14 appearances for the Seagulls played a major part in Brighton avoiding relegation.

Before boarding a plane to England, Owusu said he is looking forward to the challenge of the A-League, and continued success for the Reds, and said he could not turn down the opportunity of playing for Adelaide, to play somewhere different, play different football and also Champions League football, and like what he saw in Adelaide.

"I got a feel of the city while I was in Adelaide, and I was made really welcome by the club and the players were top draw, I felt like I had already been there for a season, all the coaching staff were brilliant," Owusu said.

The imposing forward has also made two appearances for Ghana's national team and was in line to be named in the country's first World Cup squad in 2006, however a groin injury in a lead up match ruled him out of the tournament.

Owusu has found the back of the net at every club he has been at and his proven goal scoring prowess and pledge of plenty of Owusu 'hang time' on the field is sure to make him an instant crowd favourite among the Reds faithful.

"I will be coming to Adelaide wanting to score goals, and hopefully get the club up where they want to be and picking up trophies, so if I can add a bit of quality to the team of what they already got, it's gonna be good for everyone", Owusu said.

Owusu will return to England before making the move to Adelaide in the first week of July, to join the squad prior to the upcoming Hyundai A-League season.

Lloyd OWUSU

Full Name Akwasi Osei Owusu

DOB 12 December 1976 (Born in Slough, England)

Age 32

Position Striker

Height 188cm

Weight 87kg

Nationality Ghanaian

Club History

2008/09 Brighton & Hove Albion - on loan (England, League One) 14 apps (7 goals)

2008/09 Cheltenham Town (England, League One) 23 apps (8 goals)

2007-2009 Yeovil Town (England, League One) 50 apps (12 goals)