TWO DAYS AFTER they confirmed the capture of rising star Chiedozie Ogbene from Cork City, Limerick have made another intriguing addition ahead of the start of the 2017 season.
The Shannonsiders, who’ll be back in the Premier Division this year after romping to the First Division title in 2016, this afternoon announced the signing of Brazilian striker Rodrigo Tosi.
During a 15-year professional career, the 34-year-old has played in Brazil, Switzerland, Greece, Singapore, Indonesia and Iran.
At DPMM FC in Singapore, Tosi was a team-mate of former Cork City and Limerick midfielder Joe Gamble, who’ll serve as the strength and conditioning coach for Martin Russell’s side this season.
Tosi played in Lausanne’s defeat to FC Basel in the 2010 Swiss Cup final, before winning the Swiss Challenge League — Switzerland’s second tier — with the club a year later. He also won a top-flight league medal with Esteghlal in Iran in 2013.
Meanwhile, Sander Puri will be back in the SSE Airtricity League this season after First Division side Waterford FC confirmed the signing of the Estonian winger.
Puri has been capped 69 times at senior level. The 28-year-old, who has previously had spells with St Mirren and York City, spent 2015 at Sligo Rovers before moving on to have stints with MFK Karvina in Czech Republic and Nomme Kalju in his native Estonia.
“Sander made a big impact on the League of Ireland in his previous stint here with Sligo Rovers and we’re confident he can replicate that in the upcoming season,” said Waterford head coach Alan Reynolds.
“He has proven quality both domestically and on the international scene and with the wealth of experience that he’ll bring to our squad, it’s a huge boost for Waterford FC heading into the new campaign.”
Puri said: “Coming abroad, the first few weeks or even months are usually difficult settling in but it was great in Ireland previously. That’s why I decided to return. I settled here well in 2015, enjoyed the country and standard of football with Sligo; now hopefully I can do the same here in Waterford.
“It’s a young team but a talented one. Hopefully we can push on and compete for the title and promotion. It’s my first time working with Pat [Fenlon, manager] and Alan but they are very good and very professional. The sessions have been great and I can’t wait to get on the pitch now.”
Waterford’s bid for promotion will start with a trip to Athlone Town on Friday, 24 February. Limerick will begin their Premier Division campaign at home to Sligo Rovers a day later.
