Perth Glory and Eugene Dadi are set to part company however it will only be a temporary separation with the star striker rejoining the club before the start of the next Hyundai A-League season after signing a new one year deal.
Perth Glory and Eugene Dadi are set to part company however it will only be a temporary separation with the star striker rejoining the club before the start of the next Hyundai A-League season after signing a new one year deal.
Glory has agreed to loan Dadi to Swiss Super League club FC Vaduz for a five month spell and will welcome him back to Western Australia in preparation for the 2009/10 Hyundai A-League campaign.
The former Ivory Coast International has been one of the standout recruits this season, leading the way up front for Perth with 10 goals, a tally that has elevated him amongst the league-s top marksmen.
“Perth Glory is a great club and the fans have been amazing and it was an environment that I didn-t want to leave,” Dadi said.
“When I first arrived here I felt as though the club has a big potential and I want to be part of this.
“We have a good foundation for next season and I believe that in the league you can count on us, we-re heading for the top four I-m sure,” he said.
Dadi-s ability to hit the back of the net on a regular basis, 10 goals in 16 matches, along with his popularity away from the pitch ensured he was hot property in the transfer market with the attacker keenly sought by rival clubs in Australia and overseas.
While flattered by the interest Dadi didn-t hide his desire to remain in Perth and Glory coaching staff were more than happy to retain the services of the big striker.
“Eugene has been an ultimate professional, you can see that he is enjoying his football and enjoying the lifestyle in Western Australia and I think that has translated to his performances on the pitch,” Glory Coach Dave Mitchell said.
“I remember saying when Eugene first joined the squad that he would be a fan favourite and he-s more than lived up to the expectations from the club and from our members and supporters.
“He-s a unique player and character and brings a certain flair to the game. It is something that has been well received not just by our fans but those across the league and we-re happy to have Eugene here for another season.”
The loan arrangement with FC Vaduz starts immediately meaning Dadi will not be available for Perth-s final two matches of the season against Newcastle and Queensland.
While he will miss the opportunity to fight for the Hyundai A-League Golden Boot award in the final fortnight of the season, Dadi said he is looking forward to gaining more experience in Europe and bringing that back to Perth.
“My preference was to keep playing so I could be ready for next season. I don-t like days off and having four months off wasn-t an ideal situation for me so when this opportunity came I thought it would be the best solution,” Dadi said.
“I-m a competitor and there will be much more competition for places next season at the club. There are some great players that the club is looking at bringing here and that will raise the level of our performances.
“I want to deliver even more than what I did this season, and hopefully playing more games between the seasons will help me do that,” said Dadi.
Extending his stay in Perth will also allow the style guru to pursue his off-field passion in fashion. Dadi confirming it won-t be long before you-ll see his Huge.n label popping up in the hippest boutiques across the country.
“Now that everything is settled I-m definitely looking at bringing the label over here. I have wanted to do it for a while but it-s time now to do it,” he said.
“I-m looking forward to what is to come, staying in Perth next season I think is a good thing for me, my family, and hopefully it will also be for the club.”
Profile
Name: Eugene Dadi (pron: Daddy)
Nationality: Ivory Coast
Place of Birth: Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Date of Birth: 20 August 1973
Height: 188cm
Weight: 81kg
Position: Striker
Representative Honours: Ivory Coast National Team (1 app)
Previous Clubs: 1989-1992 Stade Lavallois; 1995-1996 Football Club de Sète 34; 1996-2000 LASK Linz 52 (11); 2000-2001 Toulouse FC 04 (0); 2001-2002 Aberdeen 33 (5); 2002-2003 Livingston 25 (4); 2003-2005 Tranmere Rovers 86 (28); 2005 Nottingham Forest 06 (0); 2006 Notts County 11 (2); 2006-2008 Hapoel Acre 17 (7); 2008 – current Perth Glory
