Roar Sign Tico Veteran Bryce

DEFENDER Bob Malcolm joined the exodus of experience out of Brisbane Roar today but the club has responded by signing veteran Costa Rican Steven Bryce.

Malcolm, Charlie Miller, Craig Moore and Liam Reddy have all had their contracts terminated by the club recently but coach Ange Postecoglou has bolstered his now youthful side with the addition of Bryce to mentor the Roar youngsters.

The 32 year old is a journeyman playmaker, notching up 11 clubs in his career, mainly in Coast Rica and Honduras as well as a spell in Greece, playing for Anorthosis Famagusta FC and OFI Crete.

The Costa Rican attacking midfielder, who will wear the No. 10 shirt, competed strongly in the small-sided, light session and was immediately impressed with the qualities of his new teammates.

"I think the (Roar) is a team with a great future," Bryce said. "There are very good young players ... and players with more age who are very good. It's just the team is not in a position it is supposed to be.

"But the future still belongs to us, there are still four games and anything can happen."

At home on either side of the midfield or sitting just behind the strikers, Bryce's attacking versatility will be tested as Roar hunt for a top six finish.

With only four games left in the season, the 32 year-old has vowed to do all he can to help the club secure its finals future.

"I'm a midfielder, I can go back and up and I touch the (penalty) area also," he said. "But I think it's not the best for me but the best for the team.

"I just want to practise hard so I can have the opportunity to play and then I'll play where the coach wants me to play."

Despite the pressure which comes with his pedigree and arrival at a crucial stage in the club's season, Bryce was confident of overcoming the pressure of expectation.

"I've been playing many number of years and the pressure is always at the beginning, in the middle and at the end," he said. "I think it is the player who has to know how to assimilate and try to just play and have fun.

"I just came to be one of the squad and to give to the team."

A good friend of Melbourne Victory's Carlo Hernandez, Bryce said it was a quiet word from Hernandez and the help of god which brought him to Brisbane.

"I don't consider myself religious but I just have a personal relationship with god," Bryce said. "He is the god of opportunity and this is a great opportunity.

"I just wish that he would help me to give my best here."

FACT FILE

Full Name: Stevens Jose Bryce Valerio

Nationality: Costa Rican

Place of Birth: San Jose, Costa Rica

Date of Birth: 16.08.1977

Age: 32

Position: Attacking Midfielder

Height: 1.71m

Career

97/00 - Deportivo Saprissa (Costa Rica)

00/05 - Liga Deportiva Alajuelense (Costa Rica)