Keith Curle on a trial for striker Derek Asamoah
Manager Keith Curle confirmed this evening that Ghanaian-born forward Derek Asamoah is with the club as he gets himself fit following a spell in South Korea with Pohang Steelers and Daegu FC.
Asamoah, 33, 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 during the summer.
“Derek has been at the club to do some conditioning work to get himself into a position where he will be able to play some games and express himself,” Curle explained. “He’s been playing in South Korea but he’s had some kind of contract dispute which has meant he hasn’t been getting regular football.
“I’ve signed him before and I know what he’s about and what he can do. For him it’s about getting his fitness levels right at this moment in time. He’s one who has an eye for goal and who can scare people with his pace. We’re happy to help him along as he gets his fitness and sharpness levels back.”
