LONDON– Reggae Boy Adrian Mariappa’s arrival at struggling English League One club Burton Albion is “exactly what we needed,” according to new manager Dino Maamria after the Jamaica defender made his debut in the 1-1 draw at Peterborough United.
The 36-year-old defender joined the club – nicknamed the Brewers – on Friday, with international clearance coming through just hours before Saturday’s 3 p.m. kick-off.
The draw at seventh-placed Peterborough left Burton second from bottom in the table on eight points after 13 games. Peterborough’s ninth campaign goal came from 28-year-old Reggae Boy Jonson Clarke-Harris.
It was Mariappa’s first game in the third tier, having spent much of his career in the Premier League.
“He gave the dressing room a lift,” Maamria said afterward.
“He is exactly what we needed – his voice, his organization in the team, the presence he gave the team.”
Mariappa, who played in the Premier League with Watford, Crystal Palace, and Reading, has returned to the English game after playing in Australia with Macarthur.
Mariappa, who played the full 90 minutes on Saturday, is the fourth free agent, following Sam Winnall, Mustapha Carayol forwards, and Bobby Kamwa, signed by the Brewers since Maamria succeeded Suriname-born Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink as boss at the Pirelli Stadium in early September.
“These four have been good for us,” Maamria said.
“I’ve been bringing them in for a week or two to train. It’s not because they are not good players, but I want to see the player’s character and what they are like around the place.
“I’m big on the other side, not just the player. We know he [Mariappa] is the right character for us.”
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