Santos sign Gambian international goalkeeper Pa Dembo Touray
Santos toughen up
Posted: 2012-02-02 10:55
Santos coach Duncan Crowie is pleased with the additions to his squad, after a dismal first half of the season.
Reacting to a goalkeeping crisis last year, Santos have signed a fifth keeper, Gambian international Pa Dembo Touray, on a two-and-a-half year deal.
The club signed former AmaZulu man Thembalethu Moses in November, who joins the injury-prone first-choice Tshepo Motsoeneng, Ryan Harrison, and Lee Langeveldt, who is sidelined for the rest of the season.
This in addition to the signing of Matthew Pattison on transfer deadline day, on loan from Mamelodi Sundowns, as well as Nasief Morris and Gert Schalkwyk, and Neo Segalo, who has been promoted from development.
Touray was caught between Santos or a team in the MLS in America, but decided to join The People's team.
The former Djurgardens man, who was voted the best goalkeeper in the Swedish League in 2010/11, has been training with Santos since late November.
The 31-year-old has spent most of his career in Sweden, playing for Stockholm and Assyriska FF on loan over the years. He says he hopes to help Santos end the season in a respective position.
Meanwhile, caretaker coach Duncan Crowie says he is pleased to have the new signings in the Santos camp for the second half of the season.
"I don't think its necessary to call them quality players as you can see they have different attributes that will be beneficial to the team," Crowie tells KickOff.com.
"Morris knows the team and will fight for the team, and Schalkwyk will bring something special as we know what kind of player he is."
Crowie also told the PSL's official website: "I spotted Matthew Pattison a few years ago. Especially when he played here at Athlone Stadium he showed what a quality player he is.
"I still think he is a quality player and he will make a big difference in our squad."
There is not any clarification on how long Crowie will remain as caretaker coach, with club chairman Goolam Allie telling KickOff.com they are not rushing to bring someone new to the team just yet.
"We have made a clear decision when we said Duncan will be in charge of two games at the end of last year, and we also indicated that while we assess our situation we will continue in this way.
"Things might change later, but for now he is still the coach of the team."
Morris himself is happy to be back where he started playing professional soccer as a youngster, and he says being on a short-term loan from SuperSport United – just six months – does not worry him.
"I believe that I can make a difference for the team on and off the field, I believe that we can get out of this situation [being third from bottom on the Premiership log].
"I know it's not enough time, like a full season, but I think we have the power and strength to get out of this situation."
: 2012-02-02 11:40
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