Taner Adu joy at landing spot with Essex Leopards (From Echo)

Taner Adu joy at landing spot with Essex Leopards

6:51pm Thursday 6th September 2012 in Sport By Chris Phillips

TANER Adu has completed a move to the Essex Leopards.

The former Essex Pirates star, who has also played internationally for England, has been added to Robert Youngblood’s new look squad.

And the 28-year-old is glad to have finally become a Leopards player.

“I’ve been close to signing with Leopards for a few years now so I’m really pleased,” said Adu, who has agreed a two-year deal with the club.

“I’ve always like their set up and the Brentwood Centre, plus I’m told the Basildon venue is really good too.

“I also like the owner Fred (Dicker), who is a straight up guy, and on top of that, having played against Youngblood for many years, I know how much he wants to win.

“That helped me to make up my mind and with my child being born last year I wanted to be situated in London for this season, so everything has worked out well and I’m really pleased.”

Adu came to prominence in south-east Essex after two fine seasons with the Southend-based Essex Pirates.

But when they folded at the start of last season, Adu headed to Italy and played in Milan which he felt helped to improve him as a player.

“I joined a team in the fourth division but then broke in to the top leagues there which was brilliant,” said Adu.

“I played in their A2 league for the last three or four months which was a great experience and definitely helped my game.”

Adu now wants to prove that when Leopards start their season later this month.

And he is hungry to secure more success for the club who won a treble of titles last term.

“I want to win everything this year with Leopards,” said Adu.

“They won three trophies last year, so let’s try and win all four this year because I believe we have the squad to do this – if everyone gels together.”

After this season Leopards will be making the step up in to the British Basketball League and Adu is keen his new side impress at a higher level.

“I’ve always wanted to play in my home town with a team that is established like the Leopards,” said Adu.

“That’s one of the other reasons why I joined for two years and I can’t wait for the games to begin.”