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Oldham Athletic coach Harry Kewell brings A-League talent to England

The chance to be coached by his idol Harry Kewell was too good an offer for George Blackwood to refuse.

George Blackwood celebrates scoring for Adelaide United. Picture: AAP Image/Kelly Barnes
George Blackwood celebrates scoring for Adelaide United. Picture: AAP Image/Kelly Barnes

Socceroos legend and Oldham Athletic coach Harry Kewell has lured former Sydney FC and Adelaide United striker George Blackwood to England.

Blackwood, 23, has joined the League Two (fourth-tier) club on a two-year deal.

“It’s a wonderful signing for us, it’s a great opportunity and it’s my first Australian that I’ve signed and I know what he’s capable of,” Kewell told the Oldham website.

“It’ll take a little bit of time for him to adjust to the culture in England but we’ve done our extensive homework on him.

“He’s very creative, he can go down the line or inside, he’s great in the air and his link-up play is very good, so he’s going to add competition to the attacking ranks and raise the level even more.

“I’m excited to work with him and get the best out of him. I want to see that determination he has.

“He’s a Sydney boy from my neck of the woods, so it’s important we get this right as I want to see him achieve great things at this club.”

https://twitter.com/OfficialOAFC/status/1302652841102802950

Blackwood cut ties with Adelaide last month after the completion of the Reds’ 2019-20 A-League campaign.

He scored 13 goals in 64 A-League appearances for Adelaide, who he joined in 2017 after finding the back of net just once in 19 appearances for Sydney over three seasons.

“Harry called me up, we had a conversation, and after that conversation I knew it was a good place for me to come,” Blackwood told the Oldham website.

“I knew that I could improve under him, and I know it’s a club with a very rich history so I’m really excited.
“He (Kewell) is one of Australia’s biggest players ever, and he was an idol of mine growing up, so I’m stoked to get going and see how he is as a coach.”

Originally published as Oldham Athletic coach Harry Kewell brings A-League talent to England

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/football/oldham-athletic-coach-harry-kewell-brings-aleague-talent-to-england/news-story/9f72def8db68c0c58c9d3ab276bccaad