Guangzhou R&F have announced the signing of Australian defender Eddy Bosnar on a six month contract. He joins from Suwon Bluewings and will replace injured Brazilian defensive midfielder Jumar.
Bosnar is a well-travelled 33 year old who plays primarily in defence but can also play in central midfield. He has plenty of experience of Asian football having played in Japan and Korea since 2008, prior to this he had spells in Croatia, Austria and Holland and spent a season at Everton but didn’t make any appearances for the Toffees.
R&F hope that the addition of Bosnar’s 6’4” frame will help to shore up a defence that has conceded 17 goals from set-pieces and crosses already this season. At the other end of the pitch, Bosnar had a freekick clocked at an incredible 123km/h while playing for Suwon Bluewings in the K League which will be a cause of concern to more than a few CSL goalkeepers.
The arrival of Bosnar means that R&F and Jumar have parted company as the defensive midfielder has failed to make sufficient progress towards recovery from injury. Originally injured against Hunan Billows in the CFA Cup last year, the Brazilian aggravated the same injury in the home win against Beijing Guoan this year and after consulting medical experts the club decided to let him go.
With Roystn Griffiths already at R&F, the Cantonese side now have two Australians to go with their two Brazilians, Davi and the in-form Rafael Coelho, and Nigerian striker Yakubu. Bosnar will have chances to impress in training before R&F travel north to face Shandong Luneng on August 1st.
by Donald Ross
