Dempo SC have completed another foreign signing ahead of their season by snapping up former Australian international and Melbourne Heart defender Simon Colosimo.

Colosimo, who represented the Australian national team on 26 occasions, becomes the second former English Premier League player to join Dempo Sports Club following Rohan Ricketts of Arsenal.

After graduating from the Australian Institute of Sport Program, Colosimo signed with the National Soccer League team Carlton FC. Some promising performances in the national U-23 squad earned him a call from EPL giants Manchester City. After spending a season with six appearances with the “Sky Blues” he then moved on to various competitive leagues across Europe. Recently, he has been in top form with the Melbourne Hearts of the Australian A-League.

Colosimo has also represented Australia at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 as well as in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers.

Dempo Coach Arthur Papas said Colosimo’s addition to the squad is a welcome move. “Simon is a player with a high level of experience in Australia, Europe and Asia, and internationally has represented Australia at all age levels culminating in nearly 30 full senior appearances.”

“He has captained many of the teams he has played with and I expect him enhance our football style whilst imparting his knowledge, leadership and professionalism to assist our club in a time when we are undergoing a transition period,” said Papas.

“It is a coup for the club to have signed a player of Simon’s calibre for next season,” added the head coach.

Simon Colosimo is expected to reach India in the first week of July.

(Dempo SC Press Release)