Drogheda United are delighted to announce the signing of winger Zishim Bawa from Swedish side Bodens BK.
The 21-year-old joins Kevin Doherty’s side on a one-year deal for 2024, with a club option for the 2025 season, after a successful period on trial throughout January.
Bawa was initially scouted by Bodens BK in Arizona while at the PSC Academy in 2020, before signing his first professional deal in Sweden aged 18.
The attacker has excelled for Bodens BK in Sweden over the last three seasons, scoring 32 goals in 106 games – with crucial goals in Bodens’ 2022 promotion campaign.
Born in Dublin, Bawa is a dual Nigerian and Irish citizen, and is looking forward to the chance to prove himself in his country of birth.
“It feels great to be here at Drogheda. I’ve settled in very quickly, everyone at the club has been very good to me.
“I moved to the USA from Nigeria and continued playing football while in high school there, before moving to Sweden to play with Bodens.
“Once I heard about Drogheda United’s interest and learnt more about their project for the coming years, I was keen to join the club.
“I’m new to the league here, but it’s all been positive so far. I’ve got to know the coaching staff and players, and enjoyed the pre-season games and I can’t wait to get going,” Bawa said.
Manager Kevin Doherty also gave his thoughts after Bawa signed for the club.
“Zishim has been with us since the first week of pre-season, so we’ve had a really good look at him. He’s a really exciting player and someone I think the supporters will love. He’s very quick, gets on the ball and gets at players.
“Myself and Matt Jordan looked at the first clips of him and then decided to look at more games and could see his potential.
“I’ve seen it first hand too over the last month. He’ll add something a little bit different for us too. It’s more competition in the forward areas because he can play in a couple of positions.
“There’s a good group in the house now too with Frantz, Jack, Oisin, Hayden and now Zishim. He’s been there since he arrived and he’s settled in very quickly,” Doherty explained.
