Kotoko sign Brazil star

Kumasi Asante Kotoko have signed on a 22-year-old Brazilian, Hermes da Silva, as the club moves to position itself to compete strongly in the coming season.

The Brazilian, who plays both as a striker and an attacking midfielder, had initially agreed to sign for Accra Hearts of Oak but swerved the Phobians to join their arch rivals.

He is part of the Kotoko team that is currently undergoing pre-season training in Kumasi under coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani.

The Graphic Sports learnt from a reliable source that Da Silva, who has penned down a four-year contract for a fee believed to be in the region of GHc100,000, was recruited by the immediate past administration just before the executive chairman, Dr Kofi Kodua Sarpong, exited from office.

It is the second time in eight years that Asante Kotoko have signed a Brazilian after Gleisson de Souza Ferreira joined the Oseikrom club in 2005 for a fee of $10,000.

Kotoko, then under the tutelage of German coach Hans-Dieter Schmidt, had initially rejected Ferreira but later made a U-turn and went for the South American midfielder.

But the aftermath of his signing was disastrous, as the Brazilian turned out to be a waste pipe, unable to fit into the scheme of things of the Ghanaian club.

It is against this backdrop that some supporters of the club are calling for caution over the signing of Da Silva, especially as nothing is known about his playing history.

Da Silva was introduced to Kotoko by his brother, who lives in Ghana.

Meanwhile, Kotoko have reached agreement with their former players, Stephen Oduro and Jordan Opoku, for a return.

Dimunitive Oduro, a favourite of the fans who enjoyed six successful seasons with Kotoko, has been inactive since the last season after he was retired by the former management. The midfielder is now returning on a two-year deal.

For Opoku, a star performer in Berekum Chelsea last season, he is staging a comeback after two years with the Berekum side.

The highly mobile midfielder has agreed personal terms with Kotoko, while Berekum Chelsea are waiting for the transfer fee -- reported to be in the region of GHc70,000 -- due them to hit their accounts before they release the player.

Story: Kwame Asare Boadu/Graphic Sports/Ghana