Ekoku signs for Dublin

Dublin City manager Roddy Collins has caused another surprise in the eircom League transfer market by signing former Wimbledon striker Efan Ekoku.

Collins clinched the deal with the 37-year-old player in London yesterday ahead of tonight’s transfer deadline and Ekoku is set for his debut against Collins’ old club Bohemians at Tolka Park on Thursday night.

Collins, who caused a stir a fortnight ago by signing former England midfielder Cartlon Palmer believes Ekoku can help rescue the Vikings’ relegation-threatened season.

“Efan is a very honest guy and he knows what he’s coming into,” Collins told the club’s official website dublincityfc.net. “He’s loads of experience at the top level across channel and in Switzerland and he’s a proven goalscorer.

“He’s as lean as a butcher’s dog and we’ve had a good chat and I know he won’t let me down."

Ekoku played for Bournemouth and Norwich before signing for Wimbledon in 1994 in a £900,000 (€1.33m) transfer.

He scored 37 goals in 102 Premiership starts as a member of the Crazy Gang before spells at Grasshoppers Zurich and Sheffield Wednesday in a career that saw him bag 108 goals in 250 appearances.

“Efan’s strike rate is impressive and if he can continue in the same vein for us, he’ll be an excellent signing.”

Collins also renewed an old acquaintance by signing former Bohemians striker Alex Nescovic until the end of the season.