Ken Ilso and Abderrazak Hamdallah join Guangzhou R&F, coach confirms

Guangzhou R&F have completed the deadline day double signing of Abderrazak Hamdallah and Ken Ilso, as confirmed by first-team coach and Wild East Football writer Mads Davidsen to Bold.dk.

Hamdallah, 23, is the more eye-catching of the pair, having scored 15 goals in the Norwegian Tippeligaen with Aalesunds last campaign. The Moroccan is also a senior international who it is being reported in both Norway and China will cost R&F a fee in the region of 3 million Euro.

Ilso, meanwhile, joins on a free transfer after his release from 2. Bundesliga side Bochum earlier this month. A second striker, the Dane had scored just twice in 16 games for the club this season.

In the interview, Davidsen said: “We always go through a joint assessment between all the staff and submit recommendations for signings to the club’s management.

“In Ken’s case, it is clear that it was me who was responsible for scouting him and gave the initial recommendation. From there, we looked at him, asked questions within our network and decided he is a player that will strengthen us.”

The duo complete R&F’s transfer activity ahead of the 2014 season, while unconfirmed reports also suggest that Guangzhou Evergrande defender Li Jianbin was also secured ahead of Friday’s transfer deadline.

Ilso and Hamdallah arrive at the club as direct replacements for the departed Rafael Coelho and Yakubu, while Koreans Park Jong-Woo and Jang Hyun-Soo arrived earlier in the window.

Of their 2013 foreign players, only Brazilian attacking midfielder Davi remains at the club ahead of the coming campaign when they will hope to improve on last year’s sixth place finish.