Morecambe have completed the signing of former Crystal Palace defender Pape N’Diaye Souaré on a short-term deal, the club have announced.
The Shrimps are currently fighting for their lives in the battle for League One survival and find themselves down in 22nd as we begin to reach the business end of the season. Having played more games than any of the teams around them, tomorrow’s home fixture against Oxford United is considered a must-win, particularly with just three points separating the two sides.
https://twitter.com/MorecambeFC/status/1636748047395831808?t=_FF4tVtxUIHxZufGXc_hEg&s=19
Morecambe were clearly keen to add some experience to their team and will be hoping the arrival of the former Senegal international will give the squad a lift.
Souaré joined Crystal Palace in 2015 after impressing in Ligue 1 with Lille and became a first team regular at Selhurst Park. However, a horrific car crash in 2016 ruled him out for nearly a year and he struggled to break back into the team, eventually joining French Ligue 2 side Troyes in 2019 after making 63 appearances for the London-based club.
A move to Charlton Athletic followed next, but the left-back made just 13 appearances at The Valley and was released at the end of his one-year contract. He will now have a chance to reignite his career and will see out the remainder of the campaign at the Mazuma Stadium.
Upon the announcement of his signing. Souaré revealed his delight via the club’s official website, saying;
“I am excited to join Morecambe for the remainder of the campaign. We have a fight on our hands to remain in League One, and I want to help my teammates achieve that aim.
“I have obviously spent a period of my career in England, and I hope that experience will help me and the team going forward in these next nine games.”
Morecambe boss Derek Adams was quick to point out that Souaré’s Premier League experience could prove pivotal in the club’s race for survival, saying;
“To be able to bring a player of Pape’s experience in at this stage of the season is a real boost to the group. In losing Max we have tried to find a good replacement and we have managed to bring in a former Premier League player and Senegal international which we hope will benefit us during the run-in.”
The next week could have a huge bearing in the League One relegation battle, with Morecambe travelling to MK Dons on Saturday week following tomorrow’s clash with Oxford.
Writers View
This is clearly a risk for Morecambe and only time will tell if it is one that was worth taking. Souaré was a regular at Crystal Palace before a car crash ruled him out for nearly a year and his career has never really recovered since.
His time at Charlton Athletic was less than spectacular but desperate times call for desperate measures and the Shrimps are in dire need of points. Morecambe have the third worst defensive record in the league and need to stop shipping goals. It may backfire, but it’s a move that suits both parties.
