Will Rohan Ricketts sign for Dempo SC?

As per reports in The Times of India, last season I-League champion Dempo SC is looking forward to sign former Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur winger Rohan Ricketts. According to the latest report, this 29-years old foreigner is now currently practicing with the Dempo side. After some days of practice, club officials will make an approach to sign him.

At the age of 18, this English striker made his debut for Arsenal against Manchester United in a league match. He won consecutive FA Youth Cups for the Gunners in the years 2000 and 2001. In this period, he also played for England U-18 and U-20 teams. In the year 2002, he moved to Arsenal’s arch rival Tottenham Hotspur and stayed there till 2007. Between these periods he also played for Wolverhampton Wonderers, Queens Park Rangers and Coventry City in loan. Having played under several world-class coaches including Arsene Wenger and then Tottenham manager Glenn Hoddle, he gained some good experience which will certainly help the Goan side if he signs for them. After Tottenham, he moved to several countries like Canada, Hungary, Germany, Maldova, Republic of Ireland and now in India.

Ricketts has been training with Dempo since last Thursday and already played an 8-side match with the Panjim city-based club at the University grounds in Taleigao, Goa and scored twice. After the match Ricketts told Times of India “If I can describe my experience on the first day, I must say it was ‘hot’. The training is obviously not at the same level I am used to but the passion is good enough. Coach Armando Colaco has the same philosophy as Wenger and it is the same thinking I grew up with. They think alike.”

He further added “I can see that I fit into the Dempo style. If I continue, I will enjoy my football. The team plays good football and love to keep the ball on the ground. I don’t like the ball in the air. I can’t fly. I would love to be the first Premier League player to play here. I’ve played in the best league in the world and now I want to help Indian football. I want to take Dempo to the next level and want to bring in improvements, both on and off the field.”

Talking about the challenge if playing in India he told, “I love to take up a challenge and, for the moment, Dempo provides me with that opportunity.”