Striker Derek Asamoah joins on short term deal
Carlisle United have today signed popular forward Derek Asamoah on a short-term deal which brings him back to Brunton Park for a two-month stay.Asamoah, 35, initially joined the club on a six-month deal following a short trial spell in October 2014.
This was extended until the end of the 2014/15 season, and further extended as he became an important part of the squad.
He made 79 appearances and scored 14 goals in his 18-month stay with the Blues.
Manager Keith Curle said: “He has dynamics I like and things I don’t think we currently have in our squad. He can turn defence into attack and he gives us an option of using another kind of formation. He poses a threat behind defences and gives defenders plenty to think about. The last thing you want in the last 20 minutes of a game is a nippy striker coming on, and that’s what he is.
“He wasn’t engaged for this season because I wasn’t going to be able to offer him the game time someone of his age wants. He didn’t want to sign a contract and just be a squad player. He wants to finish his career by playing as much as he can, and I wasn’t able to guarantee that. I was in a mindset where I wanted to take us in a different direction and at best I saw him as a squad player.
“The situation has slightly changed for both parties where I haven’t been able to bring in the type of striker I wanted with that kind of pace. He hasn’t managed to secure anything for himself but he’s out there and still available. He can still scare the life out of defences and his assets are great assets to have.”
Ghanaian born Asamoah brings a wealth of experience to the squad having played in England, Scotland, France and, most recently, in South Korea with Pohang Steelers and Daegu FC.
He started his career with the Protec Football Academy in North London and spent his football apprenticeship with Hampton and Richmond Borough before signing for Slough Town in 2001. He was spotted by scouts as he registered a number of impressive displays and earned a trial, and subsequently his first professional deal, with Northampton Town that same year.
Moves to Mansfield and Lincoln followed, but it was 8 goals in 17 games in a loan spell with Chester City which caught the eye of Shrewsbury Town. He bagged 11 goals in 48 outings for the Shrews before his move to OSG Nice brought him two years in French football.
He had a brief spell with Hamilton in 2009 before making a permanent move to sign for Lokomotiv Sofia in Bulgaria in time for the start of their season that year. He joined the Pohang Steelers, billed as the most successful club in Asia, in 2011 and made over 100 appearances with two clubs in South Korea before returning to England.
Derek Asamoah will wear squad number 11.
