Former Manchester City defender Simon Colosimo signs for Dempo SC

I-League side Dempo SC have completed another foreign signing ahead of their season by snapping up former Australian international and Melbourne Heart defender Simon Colosimo.

34 year old Colosimo, who represented the Australian national team 26 times, becomes the second former English Premier League player to join Dempo SC following Rohan Ricketts of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur last season.

After graduating from the Australian Institute of Sport Program, Colosimo signed with the local National Soccer League team Carlton FC. Some promising performances in the national Under-23 squad earned him a call from the EPL giants Manchester City, but after only six appearances with the ‘Sky Blues’, he then moved back to Australia and Asia. Over the last three seasons, he has been with the Melbourne Hearts of the Australian A-League.

Simon Colosimo has also represented Australia at the 2000 Sydney Olympics as well as in the 2011 AFC Asia Cup qualifiers.

Dempo Coach, Arthur Papas said Colosimo’s addition to the squad is a welcome move, “Simon is a player with a high level of experience in Australia, Europe and Asia, and internationally has represented Australia at all age levels culminating in nearly 30 full senior appearances.”

“He has captained many of the teams he has played with and I expect him enhance our football style whilst imparting his knowledge, leadership and professionalism to assist our club in a time when we are undergoing a transition period.” Arthur Papas said further.

“It is a coup for the club to have signed a player of Simon’s calibre for next season,” added the new Dempo head coach.

Simon Colosimo is expected to reach India in the first week of July for pre-season training.