Management has signed eight new players to beef up the team as preparation for the club’s defence of the Glo Premier League title next season and participation in the 2013 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League gets underway.

Five of the eight new players are from Premier League clubs whereas the rest are players from lower division clubs all in Ghana.  

The five Premier League players are Seidu Bancey – a striker from Ebusua Dwarfs; Kwabena Edusei – a central defender from Medeama SC; Ali Nurudeeen – a striker from Berekum Chelsea; Godfred Asante and Small Boy Coba who are both midfielders from Kpando Heart of Lions.

The lower division players are strikers Mohammed Toure and Musah Issa from Bazooka and Guan United respectively whereas the third player, Nafiu Dramani, is a defender from Cheetah FC. All the clubs are based in the Northern region.

Executive chairman Dr. K. K. Sarpong told Kotoko Express that management was in discussion with two premiership clubs whose two players they have expressed interest and are keen on signing them.

He however did not name the two players and the clubs from which they would be coming indicating that management would make that disclosure at the appropriate time.

“Our plan is to strengthen the team for next season. These signings and a few more will help us in that direction” said the Kotoko chairman. He said in line with management’s plans to revamp the reserve team, discussions were ongoing to recruit young talented players from Dreams FC, Gomoa Feyenood Academy, Kessben Academy, Charity Stars and Right to Dream Academy at Akosombo.

“We are carefully looking at a number of youngsters from these clubs. We intend to revamp the reserve side, to develop the skill and stature of these youngsters to graduate to the senior team” he said. On whether some of the current players in the team would be transferred to other clubs, Dr. K. K. Sarpong answered in the affirmative and explained that the list of players to be transferred would be made public by the end of the month.

“Some players will be given out on loan. We will sell a few more abroad. Those whose contracts we cannot renew; we will tell them. The numbers will take into account the vacant positions. We will make that known when we advance with the signings and that could be end of the month” said the Executive Chairman who further disclosed that the technical team has been deeply involved in the recruitment and that not more than 45 players would be registered for the upcoming season.