Waterford announced themselves as big players in next seasons Premier Division with the acquisitions of former Bohemians striker Ismahil (Izzy) Akinade and Limerick midfielder Bastien Héry.
The promoted side, bankrolled by Swindon Town owner and former Republic of Ireland U-21 International Lee Power, have now signed 12 players ahead of the new campaign.
Akinade 23 spent 3 seasons at Dalymount Park, but only played 47 games while scoring 19 goals. His time at the club was blighted by an extremely serious injury, where he had his spleen removed following a blood disorder. It’s a massive blow to Keith Long and the club, after they looked after his welfare during his illness.
However, Akinade always wanted to be part of a full-time structure, and he will get that this season as Alan Reynolds side will be going full-time in 2018.
Akinade told the club’s website, “I signed for Waterford because I see that the club is going places and it has high ambitions. The move to full-time football was a big factor also in my decision to make the move.”
He also spoke about his time at Bohs, “I enjoyed every second at Bohs. It was hard for me to leave as I felt like I developed a strong bond with the fans over the past three years and the staff and players were great. It was like a family there and hopefully at Waterford, I can make that same connection in the dressing room and with the supporters.”
“My hope for next season is to start strongly and see where we end up. It is going to be a difficult season as it is down to a ten team league so every point will be important, whether at the top of the table or at the bottom.”
Midfielder Héry had a breakthrough year at Limerick in 2017, establishing himself as one of the first names on the team sheet under Neil McDonald, clocking up 28 league appearances. A product of the youth academy at Paris St. Germain, he went on to play in England for Sheffield Wednesday, Rochdale, Carlisle United and Accrington Stanley before emerging as one of the top midfield talents in the League of Ireland during his year in Limerick.
Héry 25 said, “I am very pleased to have signed for Waterford, a club with plenty of history and success in the past, a club that is on the up again now.”
“I met with Director of Football Pat Fenlon and visited the city and the facilities available to the club, and I was really impressed with what I saw. For my family and me, to sign with Waterford was the best option.”
He is ambitious ahead of the new season,
“First and foremost my ambition is to play football and give my best for the team and the club. I came to Ireland to push on and play European football so ultimately that is my hope by the end of this season, to push Waterford FC onto the next level. Playing and enjoying my football is the best thing in life to be honest.”
The clubs First-Team Coach Alan Reynolds told of his excitement at the two additions, “We are delighted to be able to attract players of the quality of Bastien and Izzy to Waterford FC. Off the field we are working hard to put together a competitive squad for 2018 and we are certain that both these players will be great additions.”
“Bastien emerged in 2017 as a top talent at Limerick. We watched him closely in a number of games towards the end of the campaign for Limerick and he was pivotal in the middle of the park to their good form late on, ultimately helping them steer clear of the bottom three to an impressive 7th placed finish.”
“With Sean Maguire now gone from League of Ireland football, Ismahil is arguably the top striking talent in the country and we are delighted to have him on board for 2018. He has shown a great willingness to work hard on and off the field to develop his game and character and we are very impressed with the player we have managed to sign.”
Reynolds also gave a hint at the clubs ambitions next season, “Both of these signings signal our intent in 2018, not only to survive in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, but also to kick on and challenge in the top half of the table.”
Photo Credit: Waterford FC
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