Shamrock Rovers F.C. have announced the season-long loan signing of striker Maleace Asamoah from English League One club, Wigan Athletic.
Speaking with club media, head coach Stephen Bradley has the following to say:
We’ve signed Maleace Asamoah on loan from Wigan Athletic. What was the process with the signing of Maleace?
“The signing has taken some time, there was a lot of back-and-forth with it. Maleace has been a target of ours for some time. Some weeks back, it looked like it was on, then it was off, but we’re delighted we got it done yesterday. We were working right up to the deadline to make sure the loan went through, so I am delighted that we got it done.”
Maleace had a half a season on loan with Waterford FC in 2024, scoring six goals in 17 games and played against Rovers in that time. Was that a factor in making a move for him?
“We started watching Maleace during that time with Waterford. He was very good in that period. We tried to get him a number of times since then, but it just didn’t quite happen. So Maleace is one we’ve monitored quite closely since this time in Waterford. As I said, I’m delighted to get him.
One of Maleace’s main attributes is his pace. What other assets do you see in Maleace that he can bring to the group?
“He has brilliant attributes that I think will compliment the group and give us a really good balance within the squad with our other recent signing Tunmise Sobowale. He has shown many good attributes in this league before at Waterford that we’ve seen on a regular basis.”
Is he ready and available to challenge for action immediately?
“Maleace is currently suspended. He was sent off with Wigan over the weekend, I’m not sure whether it’s two or three games suspension and that carries over to here. But like Tunmise, he’s ready to go. He’s halfway through a season and has been involved in games, so Maleace is definitely ready to go.”
Player Profile:
Maleace Asamoah is a 23 year old forward and was born in Oxford. He is the son of former professional and Ghanaian international Derek Asamoah.
Maleace grew up as a footballer in the Reading FC academy and first joined Isthmian league club Cheshunt FC, with whom he actually played a game with his father.
Maleace spent time in Greek football with Kalamata in 2021 and a loan spell with Olimpiacos Volos from 2022 to 2023, when he returned to England.
Maleace joined Fleetwood Town in July 2023 before joining Waterford FC in time for the 2024 season under Keith Long. He made 17 appearances for Waterford, scoring six goals, before joining League One club Wigan Athletic in July 2024, where he has remained since and now joins Rovers on loan.
