Dundee new boy Emile Acquah says he is ready to tackle the new challenge ahead of him at Dens Park.
The 24-year-old has arrived on a three-year deal for a fee of £33,000 that could rise to £100,000 if milestones are met.
The imposing striker is set to make his first appearance in dark blue this Saturday when Dundee head to Arbroath to get their pre-season schedule under way.
So what can Dees expect from the new big man up front?
Background
Acquah came through the youth system at hometown club Southend, making his debut in League One, but would have to drop down into non-league before returning to the EFL with Barrow.
His best season in front of goal came in 2022/23 when his 13 league goals played a pivotal role in Maidenhead United avoiding relegation from the National League by just two points.
League Two Barrow snapped him up and Acquah would score eight goals as the Bluebirds finished eighth.
Last term he would end the season as the club’s top scorer with six goals as Barrow dropped to a 16th-placed finish.
Why Dundee made their move
In the past three seasons, Acquah has shown an ability to score goals for unfancied teams.
For a club like Dundee aiming to improve on a 10th-placed finish last term, that is a handy ability.
While not prolific, double figures for a relegation-threatened side followed by second top scorer and then top scorer for a mid-table outfit is respectable.
He also brings a physical dimension to the attack which Dundee missed last season.
Acquah is listed online as 191cm tall (just over 6ft 3in) and was one of the strongest forwards in League Two for winning aerial duels (87th percentile).
Compared to other forwards, Acquah was strong in dribbling and taking shots while also ranking high in fouls won and fouls committed.
Reading between the lines, that suggest a lot of battling with centre-backs for high balls.
While his six goals scored didn’t trouble the scoring charts too highly, he did finish as the Bluebirds top goal-getter.
The six goals came from 48 shots and an xG of 5.15 which suggests his return was about on par for the chances that came his way.
Dundee links
Starting at Southend, Acquah played with Nathan Ralph. The left-back was Player of the Year at Dundee in 2018/19 and is now captain at Roots Hall.
The striker was also a team-mate of Joe Shaughnessy there, though the Dens skipper has now left to join up with another ex-Shrimper in Mark Milligan at Newcastle Jets.
Last season brings a link to the current Dundee side, however.
Acquah was joined in the Barrow attack by Aaron Pressley on loan from Stevenage for the second half of the campaign. Pressley is the son of new Dens head coach Steven Pressley.
Both Pressley and Acquah scored in a 2-0 win over Walsall in April as Barrow stayed out of relegation danger.
So new Dee boss Pressley is fully aware of the strengths of the latest signing.
‘Ready to get stuck in’
And Acquah himself can’t wait to show Dundee fans what he can do.
“I have good experience so I want to showcase it. I want to show what I’m all about in this league,” he told Dee TV.
“I’ve done a lot of research on the league, I know it’s going in an upward trajectory so I’m excited to be here.
“I have more to my game than just being a target man, I like getting the ball at my feet and bringing people into the game.
“Strikers are judged on goals so hopefully I can do that many times this season.
“I’m looking forward to getting into training and playing some games.
“I’m ready to get stuck in.
“The manager has told me he watched me a few times and he thinks I’d do well in his team and this league.
“I want to help get the club in an upward trajectory and back up to where we should be.”
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