Football
Jason Dasey 6y

Former Socceroo Bruce Djite signs with PSM Makassar in Indonesia

Former Socceroo striker Bruce Djite has joined Indonesia side PSM Makassar for the 2018 Liga One season, having last played for Suwon FC in South Korea.

The 30-year-old, who earned nine international caps between 2008 and 2010, will link up with Dutch coach Robert Alberts, a former junior with Eredivisie giants Ajax, after signing a two-year contract.

The United States-born forward will help PSM push for honours, and qualification for Asian competitions. They finished third in 2017 behind Bali United and Bhayangkara after leading for parts of the season.

"I am delighted to sign with PSM," Djite told ESPN FC.  "They came close to winning the league last season and have an experienced European coach which attracted me to the club... we have a real chance to win trophies this season.

"I'm looking forward to starting training with the club on Friday."

Alberts, Indonesia's 2016 coach of the year who has tasted league glory in three different Southeast Asian nations, said Djite would be one of four imports for the 2017 season, qualifying as an AFC player.

"Bruce fitted the profile I was looking for as an Asian striker with experience at national level, who'd also played in European leagues," Alberts told ESPN FC. "He's a good professional, with all the attributes to be successful in Indonesia."

Djite gained European experience with Turkish clubs Genclerbirligi and Diyarbakırspor, but is perhaps best known for his achievements over two stints with Adelaide United.

He joined them as a teenager in 2006, and was named 2007-08 A-League Young Footballer of the Year before helping them defy the odds to make the final of the 2008 AFC Champions League where they lost to Gamba Osaka, of Japan.

Djite returned to the Reds in 2011 having played for A-League rivals, Gold Coast United. After lifting the 2014 FFA Cup, he would help them win their first A-League title in the 2015-16 season -- in addition to the Premiers Plate -- topping the club's scoring charts with 11 goals in 25 league matches.

In the 2018 Liga One, Djite could face up to a former A-League rival in Marco Flores. The ex-Melbourne Victory playmaker from Argentina is an import player with 2017 runners-up Bali United. 

Former A-League Golden Boot Shane Smeltz was with Borneo in the 2017 season while ex-Brisbane Roar striker Reinaldo will play for Persija Jakarta in 2018, having moved from PSM.

Ex-Premier League stars Michael Essien, Didier Zokora and Peter Odemwingie were among the big names to be attracted to Indonesia in 2017.

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