CSKA Announce 5 New Signings

CSKA Sophia Gardens confirmed the arrival of five new players this week as the squad continued to prepare for the upcoming 2021/22 season in the Cardiff Combination League.

The club announced that 2015/16 Player of the Season Louis Boston had re-signed for the club. In addition to central midfielder Boston, CSKA have also moved to bring in full back pair Dan Owen and Frazer Richards, striker Kris Dolby, and winger Mike Gaunt.

Boston enjoyed a prolific first spell with the club making 31 starts and 4 substitute appearances for the club whilst scoring 4 goals, getting 7 assists, and winning 21 three stars awards. Injury had restricted his involvement in the game over the past few seasons but he now feels he is in a place where he can make a return to regular action.

Former Cardiff County full back Owen has been sought after by the club for a while but, again, injury issues have prevented him from signing with the club at an earlier date. He brings a wealth of experience to the team having played at a number of different levels for nearly 20 years.

The duo of Richards and Dolby are the latest players to make the switch from manager Steve Day's Monday night sessions in St Cenydd. Both players have played together previously. Richards is an energetic defensive player who has the ability to cover miles during a game. Dolby adds an x-factor up front with his skilful touch on the ball blending well with acute finishing in the final third.

Finally, Gaunt joins the team after agreeing to help fill spots for the intra-squad friendly. The pacey winger is a friend of CSKA wing back Declan O'Neill and impressed so much in the intra-squad friendly that the players themselves asked the management to look into signing him immediately.

Day said "We are delighted to have brought in 5 players of such quality. Everyone knows what Louis is all about. He's arguably one of the greatest players to have pulled on a CSKA top and was a key member of our promotion-winning side in 2016. He's not only a cracking player on the pitch but a top individual to have around the dressing room. He was certainly the one player I had at the top of my transfer most wanted list this summer and we've got him back!

"I've made no secret to people that I was keen to bring Frazer and Kris into the fold at some point too. They have been churning out impressive displays on a Monday night for years now and I think they'll thrive in this team both on and off the pitch. I'm elated that we have finally managed to bring Dan on board too. I enjoyed playing alongside him at Cardiff County during those days and he possesses undoubted quality.

"Then we have Mike who has been a bit of a wild card. Ever since we lost Mitch Gadd to Australia and Matthew Cass to Thailand we've lacked depth in the wide areas meaning that if the players that play there currently are injured or unavailable then we've had to play strikers or other players out of position there. Mike will hopefully prevent us needing to do that. He's also one of those players that gets the fans on their feet judging by what we saw last Saturday. He's got the pace to run at a defence and put in a dangerous cross. It's great to have him involved!"