Cefn Druids shuffle pack with nine new additions ahead of new season
WREXHAM, WALES - SEPTEMBER 18 2020: Cefn Druids Association Football Club, The Rock Stadium Images. (Pics by John Smith/Same Old Smith Photography/FAW)
Cefn Druids have added no fewer than nine new players ahead of the new Cymru Premier season.
The Ancients have added; Aaron Pomeyie, Andy Brown, Emmanuel Agyemang, George Harry, Jake Hampson, Liam Buckley, Pavel Viera, Tony Davies, Yalany Baio to their ranks as Niall McGuinness stamps down his authority on his squad.
A number of the players are known to Welsh football and have had experience either in the Welsh top flight or the feeder leagues.
Both Buckley and Hampson made their competitive debuts in the 3-0 defeat to Cymru North outfit Prestatyn Town in the Nathaniel MG Cup.
A number of the new recruits were missing with international clearance not received in enough time to include them, resulting in a youthful side fielded at Bastion Gardens on Friday evening.
Forward Agyemang was the first to be announced by the club. The Ghanian, who is the nephew of Leeds United legend Tony Yeboah, returns to the Welsh shores after recently playing for Italian outfit ASD Fanfulla.
The 23-year-old, who previously played for Bangor City, scored six goals in 21 appearances in the 2019/20 season for the Citizens.
Commenting on his move to The Rock, he said: “I wanted to sign for Druids because the club and manager believed in me, and I feel this is very important for a player.
“When you are in an environment like this, you play your best football. I think we will have a very good season!”
Agyemang will be joined by midfielder Pavel Viera, who also turned out for Aberystwyth Town and Bangor in that season.
Viera, 29, said: “After traveling all around Europe, today I am grateful to be able to play football at such a great club like Druids and to be part of their history.”
Yalany Baio, another player who had previously plied his trade at Nantporth, completed the triple swoop from the Gwynedd.
Formerly of Liverpool’s youth academy, Baio turned out for Sparta Rotterdam in the Eerste Divise and also played for Gibraltar United.
Baio brings international experience to the club after featuring for Portugal at Under-18 level before turning out for Guinea.
“I am really happy to sign for a great club like Cefn Druids,” added the 26-year-old. “I aim to work hard and help the club bounce back to where they should be!”
Quick winger Jake Hampson, already a part of the first-team squad, was on loan at Flint Town last year and turned out seven times for the Silkmen.
“I am looking forward to this season and can’t wait to give everything I can to succeed,” said the 19-year-old.
“We are ready to face whatever is waiting!”
Buckley, like Hampson, who has already turned out for his new club, also joins from Chester. Full-back Buckley is only 18-years-old but is eager to make his mark in senior football.
“I am looking forward to my future with Druids,” he said. “I can’t wait to play at such an amazing ground like The Rock with the fans back in. It is going to be a great season!”
Following Hampson to Wrexham from the Essity Stadium is striker Andy Brown.
Brown, 31, made four appearances last season after helping the club to promotion in the previous year.
“After seeing the team have a tough period last season, I want to be part of an exciting new squad with a new manager and help the club move in the right direction
Another player who was in the Cymru Premier last year was George Harry. Harry, 22, was at Aberystwyth and made two appearances for the Seasiders before moving on.
Formerly of Llandudno and Newtown, he said: “I am really happy with the move and hope I can put my experience to good use for Druids this season.”
Pacey-winger Aaron Pomeyie has also provided some competition in the attacking areas.
The 24-year-old, who worked under his new boss at Rhyl, has played for Holywell, Llandudno and was at Aberystwyth in the 2019/20 season.
“The lads have all gelled together really well in the short time we’ve been in. I’m really happy to be here and excited for the season ahead,” he said.
Topping off a flurry of signings for the Druids is experienced centre-back, Tony Davies. Davies turned out for manager McGuinness at Flint and Rhyl. He has experience of playing in Europe with Bala Town.
