Robbie Fowler has begun his rebuild of Brisbane Roar with the arrival of ex-Newcastle Jets striker Roy O’Donovan on a two-year deal.
O’Donovan, 33, joins the Roar after two A-League seasons with the Jets including the 2018 grand final defeat to Melbourne Victory.
That loss also featured a red card for O’Donovan for a high challenge on Victory goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas which resulted in a 10-game suspension for the Irishman.
Prior to being at the Jets, O’Donovan spent two seasons with Central Coast and has scored 39 goals in 80 A-League appearances.
O’Donovan is the Roar’s first signing since Liverpool great Fowler took over as head coach, with the club having released 14 players since the end of their disappointing 2018-19 A-League campaign.
“It’s an exciting time to be joining the club and the chance to work with Premier League legend Robbie Fowler was a big factor in my decision,” the ex-Irish under-21 international said.
“I’m looking forward to challenging the top teams next season and help to bring back the success that Brisbane have had in the past.”
Fowler said securing O’Donovan was a key part of his plans with the club lacking a key striker following Adam Taggart’s move to South Korea in February.
“Getting a quality striker with a proven track record in the A-League was a key position for us to fill,” Fowler said.
“I was impressed with what I’ve seen of Roy so far and genuinely feel that there is plenty more to come from him and look forward to his contribution as a goal scorer and an experienced member of the squad.”
O’Donovan is expected to be the first of up to eight new signings announced by the Roar this week with Australian trio Aiden O’Neill, Brad Inman and George Hills, Welsh striker Aaron Amadi-Holloway and English-born Scottish under-19 defender Tom Aldred all expected to be added to the squad.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Mikklesen. Useless. Kristensen. Useless. Lopez. Too slow. Only Bautheac was a class above the current signings imo.
Campbell Ross
Roar Rookie
Great to see players in their (or coming into) their prime - I have just read up on the three latest signings and am genuinely looking forward to this season. After the Aloisi years, I hope that the 2019 season is an improvement.
Richv
Roar Rookie
Time will tell but are these 4 signings really going to be an upgrade on Beautheac, Lopez, Mikkelsen and Kristensen. Certainly more youthful and look like physically robust players.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Roy's a good pickup although he has had stints of injury while at the Jets. Jets financially are tightening their belt so didn't want to risk a two-season deal for a player approaching mid-30's, while Roy liked the place and wanted security. Sort your sports science department out, and give him a sniff of goal with decent ball, and you could be wondering 'Taggart who?'.
At work
Roar Rookie
I don't understand the negative comments about Roy, he's proven to be an effective striker with a good goal ratio.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Even before Waz - remember under Franz we had 7 or 8 starting players out, and we played a lot of our NYL team (Kwame Yeboah included, from memory).
Waz
Roar Rookie
Agree on all that. Especially concerning the injury front - it’s been chronic these past 2-3 seasons
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Defenders win leagues. Let's see who he's putting at the back. And let's see what happens on the injury front - it's been Roar's achilles heel for some years now.
Waz
Roar Rookie
I hope you’re right. Looking at the names linked to the other 7 player announcements due this week it looks like Fowler and Grant have a plan, and a very pragmatic one at that. 3-5-2 seems the most likely formation with ROD on point and DWH or AN Other along side him.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
I’ll call it now. watch out for God’s side in the coming season! If young Roy can perfect his Shaolin soccer skills, balls will be flying into the back of the auld onion bag along with defenders heads ????