Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has revealed the club’s decision to sign Norwegian striker Sebastian Pedersen was motivated by the need to improve their finishing in front of goal.
Pedersen, 27-year old, completed a surprise move to the Buccaneers from Norwegian second-tier outfit Sogndal IL, becoming one of the club’s headline signings ahead of the new Betway Premiership season.
The forward arrives with an impressive scoring record, having registered 51 goals and eight assists in 117 appearances for Sogndal and Moss FK over the past four-and-a-half seasons. He had also begun the current Norwegian campaign in fine form, scoring eight goals in 14 matches before making the move to South Africa.
Ouaddou admitted Pirates were specifically looking for a different type of striker to complement their existing options in Evidence Makgopa, Yanela Mbuthuma and Boitumelo Radiopane.
“The scouting department of the club I think was looking for a profile that can help us increase the average of conversion,” Ouaddou said. “I know last season, we were the team in the continent who had the best average of chances (created), and we have some good players with us. I think he’s integrating with the group.”
The Moroccan coach believes Pedersen’s biggest strength is his ability to convert opportunities inside the penalty area.
“As you have seen last season, we needed this finisher, this profile who can finish the actions.
“I think the scouting department have seen him, we have studied him and I think it’s somebody who can bring us his freshness, his quality and his competences.”
Ouaddou added that integrating the striker during the club’s recent pre-season tour of Spain was an important part of helping him settle into his new surroundings before the start of the campaign.
“It’s why it’s very important for us to have him with us for a couple of days in Spain trying to integrate him, because as you know you can be a good player, but when you come in a new environment, we have to make it easy for him and to integrate him in our collective.”
