Caernarfon Town sign former Newport County, Carlisle United, and Exeter City striker
Richard Davies has further strengthened Caernarfon Town's squad. (Pic by Nik Mesney/FAW)
Caernarfon Town have continued their summer recruitment drive as they prepare for their UEFA Conference League campaign.
The Welsh Cup winners have been busy in the transfer market as they look to close the gap on European opponents FCI Levadia. Several familiar faces have returned to The Oval, while the club have also strengthened their squad with signings from the English leagues.
Ahead of their European tie, the Cofis have announced the signing of striker Offrande Zanzala, a player who will be familiar to supporters of several Football League clubs.
Embed from Getty ImagesOffrande Zanzala – Former Newport County, Exeter City and Carlisle United striker
The 29-year-old forward makes the move from the National League North to the Cymru Premier after spending last season with Chester and, later, Marine. Across his time with the two clubs, Zanzala recorded five goals and two assists in 33 appearances.
Zanzala is an EFL League Two title winner, having been part of the Accrington Stanley squad that lifted the trophy in the 2017/18 season. Although he made just six appearances during the campaign, scoring once, his performances were enough to earn him a permanent deal with the club.
Accrington remains the club where Zanzala has made the most appearances, with the striker scoring 15 goals in 66 games. He also enjoyed spells with Newport County, where he netted six times in 34 appearances; Barrow, where he scored five in 27; and Carlisle United, where he found the net six times in 22 matches.
During spells with Devon-based clubs Exeter City and Torquay United, Zanzala scored twice for each side in a combined 27 appearances. Other clubs he has represented include AFC Fylde, Crewe Alexandra, and Stevenage.
Caernarfon Town’s upcoming UEFA Conference League tie
The Cofis will host FCI Levadia at a sold-out Oval on Thursday, July 9, with kick-off scheduled for 18:30 in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League.
Levadia currently sit top of the Estonian league, holding a 10-point advantage and already 19 matches into their domestic season. That sharpness could prove a challenge for Caernarfon, who will be playing their first competitive fixture of the campaign.
The Estonian side head into the tie in strong form after defeating JK Narva in the Premium Liiga on Saturday. Bubacarr Tambedou scored twice after Mark Roosnupp had opened the scoring.
Caernarfon will hope home advantage can help them overcome the experience gap, with The Oval set to host European club football for the first time in its history.
The occasion represents another major milestone for the club following significant investment in the stadium. The Cofis previously had to play their European fixtures away from home at Llandudno, but The Oval has now been upgraded to host UEFA matches, having recently staged fixtures during the UEFA Under-19 European Championship.
As for their preparations, they have retained several of the key players from last season while also strengthening the squad with additions from the National League.
Zack Clarke and Sion Bradley, who both joined The New Saints before later signing for the Canaries on loan last season, have returned on permanent deals.
A “substantial” fee was paid to Connah’s Quay Nomads to secure the services of midfielder Noah Edwards, who also returns to the club. His former Nomads teammate Chris Marriott, the most decorated player in Cymru Premier history, has also made the move, along with Ben Nash.
Jordan Piggott was the club’s first summer arrival, joining from AFC Telford United. Piggott had previously played for Gwynedd rivals Bangor City, but in recent seasons he has established himself as a key player for the National League North side.
