Morecambe secure first signing under new boss with Mo Sangare arrival

Morecambe have secured their first signing under new manager Ashvir Singh Johal, bringing in midfielder Mo Sangare from Swiss Challenge League club Bellinzona.

The 26-year-old Liberian international arrives at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium ahead of the planned National League season opener against Altrincham on Saturday.

A new era began on Monday as Panjab Warriors officially completed their takeover of the Lancashire-based side from Bond Group Investments, following approval from the league.

Earlier on Wednesday, Morecambe confirmed that the National League had also lifted the transfer embargo previously imposed on the club.

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Skill set

Therefore, with just days to assemble a squad and ensure the team is ready to compete, the Shrimps have wasted no time in making their first signing.

On Sangare’s arrival, Johal said: “Mo is someone who we identified straight away. Someone who will fit right into what we’re trying to build at Morecambe.

“He has a lot of EFL experiences and he has got the required skill set that is going to help us compete straight away in the National League.

“He has the mentality we’re looking for, he’s got that winning mindset and he wants to push to improve and get better and ultimately win games.

“Mo’s characteristics as a player will exactly fit the style of play we’re trying to build here. I can’t wait to work with him.”

Sangare has previously played in Scotland for Livingston and in England with Accrington Stanley.

He will don the number 20 shirt and is eligible for selection in Morecambe’s season opener against Altrincham.

Fantastic

Shortly after the signing, Morecambe also announced the arrival of former EFL midfielder Lee Tomlin as assistant manager.

Johal said of his new right-hand man: “Lee is someone I have known for a very long time. I knew that when I became a manager, Lee was the person I wanted to be my assistant manager.

“He had a fantastic playing career and has played in all the divisions of English professional football, including the Premier League.

“He’s now gone into coaching after playing, and he’s worked at some great clubs.

“Lee has experience at Leicester City, and then he was at Sheffield United, so for me to bring him here as assistant manager is something that I’m really proud of.”

Experience

Not long after, a second arrival in forward Harrison Panayiotou was announced. The 30-year-old has previous experience with Aldershot Town in the National League.

Johal added: “Really pleased to have Harry with us and I’m glad that he has joined us at Morecambe.

“It was important for us that we had players in the building who have experience in the league so he understands exactly what it takes to win games at this level.

“As equal to that, from a style of play point of view, he’s exactly what we’re looking for.

“We’re looking for someone who is going to press aggressively, who’s going to give us all in the games, someone who is never going to give up and win the ball, he’s got the quality to drop and link play between the lines, or who can run in behind.

“He’s someone who we think can be really effective in the final third and help us create and score goals this season and hopefully help the team play an entertaining brand of football.”

Chaotic

To end a chaotic Wednesday, Morecambe confirmed a third arrival in the space of a few hours, Raheem Conte joining the National League club.

The 22-year-old midfielder, formerly of Cardiff City, spent the first half of last season on loan at Woking.

“I’m delighted that Raheem has joined us at Morecambe,” Johal said. “He is someone whose career I have followed for some time now.

“He has had good exposure to Cardiff’s first team, playing in the Championship and EFL Cup.

“Raheem is a versatile player. He’s a midfielder but he can also play full back. We see him as a full back, he’s left footed. We think he has all the attributes that can help us get to the next level.

“He’s athletic, he’s quick, but most important is his intelligence and his football brain to help us be successful on the football pitch.

“We think he will really enjoy our training processes, how we work, and we think we can help take him to the next level as a player, but we really think he can help us with our aims of being in the EFL again.” 

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