Deano signs Japanese striker (From South Wales Argus)

Deano signs Japanese striker

11:20am Saturday 27th June 2009

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NEWPORT County boss Dean Holdsworth moved a step closer to finalising his squad for next season after signing Takumi Ake, without a club following the demise of Team Bath.

The winger/striker has been a top target with Holdsworth for a number of weeks but the deal has been complicated because the Bath University student returned to his native Japan for a summer holiday.

A number of clubs have been chasing Ake’s signature and Holdsworth is delighted that a pursuit that has lasted almost two months ended in success with the winger signing terms at Spytty Park last night as the County players enjoyed their first pre-season training session.

Ake, 25, was one of the star performers for Team Bath last season and has attracted Holdsworth both for his pace and versatility.

Comfortable on either flank, Holdsworth is also keen to see the former Hendon man playing through the centre when the new campaign gets under way.

He explained: “Takumi and I talked before he went away and I was very hopeful we could bring him to the club as he’s a very big talent who really caught my eye last season.

“We have terrific strength in the squad now and Takumi gives us fantastic options in a variety of positions.

“He can play on either wing like Charlie Henry and also like Charlie, I think he’d be very comfortable through the middle playing up-front.

“In order to achieve all we want to this season we need strength in depth and signing Takumi is a huge boost for us.”

The winger should settle quickly into the Spytty Park scene as his former captain at Team Bath, Gary Warren, also joined the Exiles this summer. Ake becomes the eighth signing after Warren, Scott Rogers, Dave Gilroy, Henry, Paul Bignot, Sam Foley and Tom Pass also joined the ranks at Newport Stadium.

The Exiles returned to pre-season training last night ahead of the new campaign, which begins on August 8.

Having kept virtually their entire squad from last season and having made so far eight additions to his ranks, the Exiles have unsurprisingly fared well in the early-season odds released by Blue Square.

The sponsors of the Conference South rate County at 7-1 to win the league, making the Exiles joint second favourites behind Dover, priced at 6-1. “I don’t want to go shouting off about predictions for where we will finish, but I am not surprised we are in the mix in the eyes of the bookies,” Holdsworth commented.

“We have put together a squad which has built on our excellent end to the season.

“We have competition throughout our side, we have injected some real pace into the squad as well and we are feeling good.”

“To be honest I am buzzing about the new season and can’t wait to get started, pre-season gives us a chance to look at a few more players and see if we can add some finishing touches as well.”

Holdsworth said: “It’s great to be starting again.”

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