Alou Kuol says Central Coast Mariners will “get the best” out him after returning to the A-League champions following two seasons in Germany.
Kuol, the older brother of Socceroos sensation Garang Kuol, has signed a three-year take care of the Mariners.
“Being given the chance to come home and play in front of my family and for coaches that I
know very well is amazing,” the 22-year-old attacker stated.
“I know what they want from me and I think they will get the best out of me.
“It is an amazing feeling to come back and help defend the colours of the Coast, the yellow
and navy. I’ll do everything that I can for this club.
Kuol was signed by Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart from the Mariners in 2021, and played for the German club’s reserve team before being loaned out to lower division SV Sandhausen.
He returned to Stuttgart, and made his one and only Bundesliga appearance in a 2-1 loss to RB Leipzig in January this year.
Mariners coach Nick Montgomery said Kuol would be better for his time away from the A-League despite falling short of expectations in Germany.
“Some moves don’t always work out, but Alou will have learnt some valuable lessons and
experiences that have given him the platform to become one of Australia’s top strikers and
push for the Socceroos one day in the near future,” Montgomery stated.
“We have full belief in his ability, which he has already proven before leaving for
Europe’s elite.
“I have to commend Stuttgart throughout our discussions and thank them for agreeing to
the transfer on good faith that the Mariners is the best place for Alou to reach his
undoubted potential for both parties to benefit.”
Kuol’s return will enhance a Mariners’ assault that has misplaced grand last heroes Jason Cummings and Samuel Silvera in current weeks to golf equipment in India (Mohun Bagan) and England (Middlesbrough) respectively.
Meanwhile, Melbourne City has boosted its overseas brigade with the signing of former French under-21 worldwide defender Samuel Souprayen.
Now 34, Souprayen has spent the previous two years taking part in for Bulgarian membership Botev Plovdiv and has had earlier stints with French sides Dijon, Stade Rennais and Auxerre, and Italian outfit Hellas Verona.
“I decided to come and play in Australia because I like new challenges, and the opportunity to play in a new country and fight for silverware was too good to pass up,” Souprayen stated.
“Melbourne City is a big club that fights for trophies, and I’m a fierce competitor, so this seemed like the perfect challenge for me.”
Souprayen is City’s second overseas signing of the low season after the membership’s current acquisition of German midfielder Tolgy Arslan from Italian facet Udinese.
City director of soccer Michael Petrillo stated: “Samuel is a very experienced defender who has great physical presence, speed and a strong ability to play out from the back.
“After a significant turnover of experienced players, he has the perfect character to bring into our change-room, which was a very important reason for his recruitment.
“Having played 31 games last season, Samuel has shown he is in great physical condition and very capable of performing at a high level.”
Originally printed as Alou Kuol returns to the Central Coast Mariners after powerful stint in Germany
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
