Aberystwyth Town are delighted to announce the arrival of 26-year-old centre-forward Raul Correia from JD Cymru Premier rivals Bala Town. The imposing front man joins Town with a wealth of National League experience as well as familiarity with Wales’ top flight having spent last season at Maes Tegid.
Born in Luanda, Angola, Raul is a Portuguese citizen who moved to England at the age of nine. He played his youth football in Sheffield before kick-starting his senior career with Cheadle Heath Nomads, Radcliffe Borough, and Chorley. It was at Radcliffe where Raul impressed Football League scouts with his goal-scoring exploits in the lower divisions, enough so to earn himself a move to League Two Blackpool, signing an 18-month contract at Bloomfield Road in January 2017. He made his professional debut for The Tangerines in January 2018 against Shrewsbury Town in the EFL Trophy following separate loan spells with Guiseley and York City during the 2017/18 season. After release from Blackpool, Raul spent time with Barrow, Radcliffe, Mossley, and Southport before making the move across the border, joining Bala Town for the 2020/21 season where he featured in both Europa League qualifying ties vs Valetta and Standard Liege before making 23 appearances for The Lakesiders in the league, scoring twice and providing two assists. Deployed out wide for the majority of last season, Raul now gets the opportunity at his preferred position to lead the line at Park Avenue. Raul told us: “The manager and the playing time were the main attraction for me to join the club. From the very first moment the manager found out I was available, he tried to get me in but it wasn't easy for him to get this deal done. I appreciate all the effort he put in to get me here and I will do everything I can to repay him on the football pitch. I know the style of football the manager wants to implement in the squad and it’s something that I would like to be a part of. In regard to myself, I'm a powerful and explosive player who’s willing to work for the team at all times whilst putting in maximum effort at every opportunity I get to step onto the pitch. I bring speed, power, strength and just a little bit of everything. My goals for the season are for the team to finish in the Top 6 and for myself, hitting double-figure goals.” Manager Antonio Corbisiero commented: “Raul is a player we’ve been after all summer – he’s a very physical and quick centre-froward who wants an opportunity to play up top, so we’re delighted to give him that opportunity. He’s full of confidence and keen to make an impression on the club so we’re very excited to have got him over the line. I think he’s the type of player that the opposition will be looking out for each week given his abilities to run at players or dominate aerially. Hopefully we can get him cleared in time to play at the weekend away at Flint. An excellent addition to the squad – welcome Raul!” Croeso i Geredigion / Welcome to Ceredigion, Raul! Comments are closed.
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