WORCESTER CITY join-boss Carl Heeley has revealed how the National League North side found about their recent signing, former Romanian top-flight midfielder Marius Ologu.
Ologu, 26, started his career with Universitatea Craiova, making 17 appearances before leaving for Astra Ploiesti in 2011. He went on to play for Turnu Severin, Targu Mures, Caransebes and National Sebis before deciding on a move to England.
His quest for a professional club began in the West Midlands Regional League and Dudley Town but he has now moved up to Step 2 of the Non-League Pyramid.
And Heeley says the signing came completely by chance as he spotted Ologu – who has yet to start a game for Worcester – training after City had just finished their own session!
He said: “We could have said it was the European scouting network that we'd set up, but I don't think anyone would have believed that! The fact is, we've taken a punt on him.
“He was training with the group coming on after us. As we were packing the kit away after we'd done, we were watching and this one lad stood out by a country mile.
“When we pulled him out and had a little word with him, it transpired that he'd played in the Romanian top flight and had come over to England looking for a professional club. It's a strange stroke of luck. We'll just have to see how he copes with the rigours of National League North.
“We don't know how we he'll adapt but we've given him a short-term deal. He's got great technique and he works hard but we need to get his fitness up.
“He played in a friendly at Halesowen, scored a great free-kick and looked very lively, but he unfortunately picked up a little groin strain which has knocked him back a bit.”
