Words: Steve Pitman
Image: Brisbane Strikers FC

Brisbane Strikers have bolstered their squad for dual PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland and Westfield FFA Cup campaigns with the signing of two new players.

Attacker Apai Ukuno and goalkeeper Fraser Chalmers the competition's second-placed side as coach Kevin A’Herne-Evans looks to replace departed utility player Andy Thompson and address the club’s mid-season goalkeeper shortage.

Regular number one Michael Turnbull is in Sydney for the filming of reality TV show The Bachelorette while replacement Michael Weier suffered a knee injury in last weekend’s 3-0 win over Western Pride.

A’Herne-Evans expects Brisbane Roar Youth product Chalmers to slot seamlessly into Strikers’ style of play.

“He’s come to us motivated and wanting to succeed,” A’Herne-Evans said.

“He still believes he has the ability to go on to the A-League (and) we thrive on bringing players of that ilk to the club and we make sure we provide an environment that caters to just that.

“There’s a heavy emphasis on our goalkeeper’s job in building the play out and Fraser will suit that down to the ground.”

Libyan-born Ukuno returns to Brisbane from a stint with Welsh Premier League club Connah’s Quay Nomads after establishing his senior career with community clubs Rocklea United and Eastern Suburbs.

A’Herne-Evans said the tall 23-year-old forward arrives with strong recommendations from assistant coach Ken Armstrong and Strikers technical director David Large.

“We’re really excited to have him on board,” he said.

“He offers us something completely different to all the other attacking players that we have and already in training he is starting to forge good partnerships with a number of key players in that group.

“He’s really hungry, he’s really ambitious with what he wants to achieve with his football and he identified the Strikers as the best place for him to achieve that.”

Both players join at a crucial time in Strikers’ title chase with Brisbane Roar Youth, Moreton Bay United and Olympic FC all looming while a Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 clash is also on the horizon.

However, A’Herne-Evans believes the pair can also contribute in the long term.

“(They) add to competition for places in our squad and it’s another clear sign of our intent in what we want to achieve over the next eighteen months,” he said.

This article originally appeared on the official Brisbane Strikers website.

PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Round 15

Brisbane Roar FC Youth v Brisbane Strikers FC
Saturday, 27 June
Perry Park, Brisbane
Kick-off - 6:00PM