Adelaide United FC’s cover in defence for the loss of the departing Iain Fyfe is complete with the signing of Croatian defender Dario Bodrusic for the remainder of the season.
Bodrusic’s appointment to the Reds follows the arrival of versatile utility Osama Malik from North Queensland Fury, the duo-s addition leaving United Head Coach Rini Coolen with options in filling Fyfe’s absence.
Coolen and the club had been scanning the globe in the lookout for a central defender before Bodrusic came up on the radar thanks to the connections of one of the Reds- owners.
“We were put onto Dario through contacts of Bruno (Marveggio), and since then I have heard a lot of good things about him from people we have spoken to,” Coolen said.
“He is a left footed central defender which is a great benefit to have, he can also play in other positions, he is still a good age at 27 and he has had international experience, so these are all reasons why we have decided to bring him in.”
“From the footage that we-ve seen of him we think he-s worth having a look at, plus in the short term the most important thing is that we can bring him in now and it gives us a chance to look at him for the future.”
Bodrusic represented Croatia nine times at Under 21 level, with his career to date unfolding predominantly in his homeland, although he did spend two stints playing in Albania.
Coolen is optimistic about what Bodrusic can bring to the Reds on the field and he is confident the 27 year old will be able to acclimatise and settle into the squad quickly as United battles to secure second spot ahead of the finals.
Bodrusic is expected to arrive in Adelaide on Sunday.
Dario BODRUSIC
DOB 25 Jan 1983 (Bugojno, Bosnia)
Age 27
Nationality Croatian
Position Defender
Height 186cm
Weight 76kg
Club History
2010/11 Rudes (Croatia)
2009/10 Istra 1961 (Croatia)
2008/09 Dinamo (Albania)
2008/09 Rijeka (Croatia)
2007/08 Dinamo (Albania)
2004-2007 Slaven Belupo (Croatia)
2003/04 Inter Zapresic (Croatia)
Additional Information
Nine appearances for the Croatian Under 21 Team
