The Houston Dynamo signed midfielder Anthony Obodai on Tuesday, pending arrival of his International Transfer Certificate from the Netherlands. Obodai could be available to play in Thursday night’s SuperLiga opener against Pachuca. He will occupy an international roster slot. Per team and league policy, terms of the contract were not released.
Obodai, 27, comes to Houston from the Dutch club RKC Waalwijk, where he had played since 2007. Obodai began his professional career with famed Dutch power Ajax before moving on to Sparta Rotterdam. He has made three appearances for Ghana in international play, including a World Cup qualifier against Burkina Faso in 2004. He also appeared for Ghana in the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship, helping the Black Stars reach the final before losing to Argentina.
Obodai spent two weeks on trial with the Dynamo in June, starting in friendly wins against Laredo in Corpus Christi on June 10 and against Aguila in the Dynamo Charities Cup on June 19.
“He knows the position,” Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear said. “He is good on the ball, he doesn’t get rattled under pressure, and he knows his way around the field.”
In other moves Tuesday, the Dynamo released forward Luis Angel Landín and announced the departure of assistant coach John Spencer, who has resigned for personal reasons.
Spencer has been an assistant to head coach Dominic Kinnear since the Dynamo arrived in Houston prior to the 2006 season and was a part of both championship teams in 2006 and 2007. He also oversaw the Dynamo Reserves from 2006-08, including a 2008 Reserve Division championship.
Landín joined the club in August 2009 as its first designated player. He scored two goals and had three assists in 20 appearances for the club while battling through injuries.
“We are sorry things didn’t work out with Luis Landín,” Dynamo Chief Operating Officer Chris Canetti said. “Our hopes and expectations for this signing were never met. We believe it is the right time for the club and Luis to move forward. We wish him well in the future.”
Tickets for Dynamo games and the 2010 AT&T MLS All-Star Game at Houston’s Reliant Stadium are available via HoustonDynamo.com or by calling (713) 276-7500.
The Houston Dynamo are a Major League Soccer club that has won two MLS Cup championships in its first four seasons and represented the United States in international competition in four consecutive years. For more information, log on to www.HoustonDynamo.com or call (713) 276-7500.
