Delhi Dynamos sign forward Gadze, defender Niasse

Delhi Dynamos announced the return of their star Ghanaian forward Richard Gadze as well as acquiring the services of Senegalese centre-back Baye Ibrahima Niasse for the next edition of of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) football competition on Saturday.

Both the players have joined the squad in Sweden, where they are currently undergoing their pre-season training and are expected to feature in the club's next friendly match against the Swede club Skene IF on September 11.

Gadze, the 21-year-old livewire from Ghana, who was a revelation last year, was expected to be away for a year after going on loan to Finnish giants HJK Helsinki but he cut short his stint to come back to join the Delhi Dynamos squad.

Gadze's brilliant showing in last year's Hero ISL that included four goals and two assists, helped the Delhi Dynamos FC qualify for the semi-finals. This performance got him a call-up to the Finnish club HJK, offering him the opportunity to ply his trade in top flight European soccer.

The forward who had joined the Finnish club in May, was a regular feature for the club at the league games.

"The team and the fans gave me a lot of love and I hope that I can live up to their expectation in my second stint at the Hero ISL. We had a fairly good season last year making it to the semi-finals," Gadze said.

"As we gear up for the third season, with the new coach in place and lots of good players coming in, I am confident that we are capable of pulling it off till the end this year."

Ibrahima, who hails from the city of Dakar and made his debut in 2006 for the French club Nancy B is well known for his versatility on the field and joins Delhi Dynamos F.C from Romanian Liga I club Concordia Chiajna.

The Senegalese who primarily plays as a centre-back is also a very effective central defensive midfielder and has appeared in 206 games scoring 20 goals for several clubs including Neuchatel Xamax, Apollon Limassol, Inter Baku and Mordovia.

Niasse is the brother of Oumar Niasse, who plays as a striker for the English Premier League side Everton F.C.

"I look forward to my stint with Delhi Dynamos FC this season. I haven't had much time to interact with my team-mates as I have just joined the team, but I did follow their previous games that they played in England and here in Sweden, and the squad looks to be gelling in well.

"I hope to add to the team's performance with my experience and help the team pull off a fitting closure to our campaign this season," said Niasse.

Welcoming the new recruits, head coach Gianluca Zambrotta said: "Both the players are immensely talented and I am happy to have them in my team. I am really looking forward to work with both the players.

"Gadze was phenomenal last year and it was very crucial that he was back with the team, and for Ibrahima, I always liked players who can play in multiple positions as it allows me more option in trying out different strategies," Zambrotta said.

--IANS

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