Auckland FC player Sam Cosgrove Photo: Supplied
English striker Sam Cosgrove has moved from League One Barnsley FC to the A-League with Auckland FC.
The 28-year-old will boost coach Steve Corica's attacking options as the team look to continue the form that saw them become the fastest A-League team to score 50 goals, and the first New Zealand team to win A-League silverware.
At Barnsley, Cosgrove scored seven goals and registered six assists across 60 games.
In total he has scored 70 goals and registered 20 assists across 297 professional games with stints at Plymouth Argyle, Aberdeen FC, Shrewsbury Town and Birmingham City.
"Sam is going to be a great acquisition and will provide firepower to the front line. He's a proven goal scorer and we're pleased to have secured his signature," Corica said.
"He is a big, physical striker who I think will be well-suited to the league. He's also got a great deal of experience. We're looking forward to having him as part of the group."
Cosgrove's arrival means Corica has a full complement of attackers to call on with recent arrival Lachlan Brook joining Logan Rogerson, Guillermo May, Marlee François, Jonty Bidois, Liam Gillion, plus the inform Jesse Randall.
"We're an ambitious group keen to improve on last year's performance, so right now, we're focused on building a squad to do that.
"That requires depth in every position and a team that fights for the right to play each week."
Cosgrove arrived in Auckland over the weekend.
"I've had a couple of training sessions now and spent some time with the team. The culture and togetherness are outstanding. Being from overseas, I'm still adjusting, but everyone has been so supportive and friendly," Cosgrove said.
"I spent a lot of time researching the club before I made the move, and the more I heard, the more I wanted to join.
"What the club has achieved, the way the city has got behind the team, I was eager to be a part of it."
The team leave for Sydney on Thursday ahead of Saturday's Australia Cup quarter-final clash against Sydney FC.
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