Danilo Orsi: New striker will add extra dimension to Harrogate Town's front-line, says Simon Weaver

New addition Danilo Orsi can become the "fox in the box" that Harrogate Town have been missing, according to Simon Weaver.
Danilo Orsi is Harrogate Town's second signing of the summer transfer window.Danilo Orsi is Harrogate Town's second signing of the summer transfer window.
Danilo Orsi is Harrogate Town's second signing of the summer transfer window.

The 25-year-old striker was unveiled as the Sulphurites' second signing of the summer on Thursday following his move from Maidenhead United.

Orsi demonstrated a cool head in front of goal during a stellar 2020/21 campaign for the Magpies, netting 18 times in 38 National League appearances on his way to being named both manager's and supporters' player of the season.

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And Weaver believes that his latest recruit can add an extra dimension to Town's forward line as they look to build on last term's 17th-placed finish in League Two.

Danilo Orsi, right, in action for Maidenhead United against Wrexham.Danilo Orsi, right, in action for Maidenhead United against Wrexham.
Danilo Orsi, right, in action for Maidenhead United against Wrexham.

"He's a good 18-yard-box player, someone who comes alive inside the opposition penalty area and we have perhaps lacked that fox in the box when it matters most," the Harrogate boss said.

"He's very sharp and anticipates things well. He's intelligent in terms of his movement and spends so much time facing the opposition goal, rather than playing with his back to it.

"He's an intelligent footballer, who will run in behind and stretch defences and a lad who we believe still has plenty of growth in him.

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"His record last season was very impressive and the thing I really like is that he scored plenty against the better teams in the National League. All of his goals weren't against the bottom third, he did the business against some really good sides."

Of Italian descent, Orsi grew up in North London and moved to America as an 18-year-old to play academy football for Fort Lauderdale in Florida, while studying a degree in business management at Eastern Florida State College.

He would later return to England began his ascent up the non-league ladder, featuring for both East Thurrock United and Hungerford during the 2018/19 campaign.

A move to Hampton & Richmond of National League South followed in the 2019/20 season and, after a successful campaign, he made the step up to the National League with Maidenhead, finishing 2020/21 as their top scorer.

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Having taken each step up in his career to date in his stride, Orsi is thrilled to finally have a crack at the Football League.

“I’m over the moon”, he said.

“The chance to make the step up to the Football League and to join a team like Harrogate Town I’ve heard great things about the club and the area so I’m really happy to be here and get the deal done.

“It’s going to be a big step up but it’s something since coming back to England that I’ve wanted to achieve. To play in the Football League was my goal.

“I know I had to work hard to get here, I’m just going to have to work doubly hard to stay here and hopefully help the team push on and have a successful season."

Orsi will wear the number 11 shirt recently vacated by Joe Leesley during his time at Harrogate.