Adelaide United has signed a Norwegian — Kristian Opseth — for the first time in its 16 year history
Adelaide United’s newest signing, striker Kristian Opseth, is confident of scoring goals for his new side after a quick-fire move from Turkey to the A-League.
About a week ago Adelaide United’s newest signing Kristian Opseth was in his hometown in Sogndal, Norway training alone contemplating his next move before an opportunity to join the Reds came calling.
The Norwegian’s agent making contact with Reds football director Bruce Djite actioned an adventure for the 29-year-old striker who had never been to Australia or talked to anyone about what the A-League was all about.
As revealed in The Advertiser, in the space of days the club’s first Norwegian signing was rubber stamped by new Reds coach Gertjan Verbeek, underwent and passed a Reds medical on Monday for a one-year deal.
He is set to meet his new teammates for the first time this week after watching Adelaide belt Raiders 5-0 in a friendly at Taperoo on Tuesday night.
And with Adelaide playing its first official match next week when it meets one of the great powerhouses of the defunct national soccer league Melbourne Knights in an FFA Cup clash, Opseth isn’t sure if he would be ready see the Somers Street cauldron on the outskirts of Melbourne.
“I don’t know about that,’’ Opseth said when he officially fronted media for the first time on Wednesday at Hindmarsh Stadium.
“I haven’t had a session with the team yet and I’m looking forward to start and it’s up to the coach as to what he wants to do.
“I was training but mainly individual training on my own and I need some time to get into the football and how they (Reds) play, how the coach wants me to play and how the team works and all that.”
Opseth was recently released by his relegated former Turkish club BB Erzurumspor on a free transfer, scoring once in 12 games after finding the back of the net 61 times for Norwegian clubs since 2015.
Opseth is hoping to become the visa goalscorer Adelaide had been craving for the past three seasons after a wretched injury run cost strikers ex Reds Papa Babacar Diawara and Dzengis Cavusevic valuable game time.
Dutchman Jordy Thomassen failing to score during his loan stint, signed at the request of chairman Piet van der Pol in a bid to answer an SOS from ex coach Marco Kurz didn’t leave any notable mark in the A-League.
Opseth will erase that type of pressure if he scores early but the affable Norwegian is confident he can make a difference.
“I’m a box player in and around the box trying to get into positions to score the goals,’’ he said.
“I would say that’s my biggest strength as well to be in the right place to put the ball in.
“I have a good left foot I would say.”
Djite says Adelaide is hoping to finalise its squad by late August with one visa spot remaining with perhaps more Australian spots up for grabs.