Looking to address one of the most glaring deficiencies with the team during their fall campaign, the Oakland Roots have signed veteran center back defender Nana Attakora for the Spring NISA season.

Attakora, who had just returned from Ghana where he was visiting his family, is the most recent notable addition for the Roots who are revamping their squad with an eye on their first league victory and competing for a championship for Oakland.

The defender is no stranger to the Bay Area. He played for the MLS’s San Jose Earthquakes in 2011 and 2013 and was the captain for the NASL’s San Francisco Deltas in their championship season in 2017. The past two seasons, Attakora has played for the USL’s Ottawa Fury before they folded late last year making him a free agent. The Canadian also started his pro career with his hometown side, Toronto FC, and also played with the NASL San Antonio Scorpions and Ft. Lauderdale Strikers.

“I was excited to come back to the Bay Area,” said Attakora, “so it was an easy decision for me.” He also noted that his girlfriend lives in the Bay Area and he also has some family here that helped to tilt the scales in Oakland’s favor.

Attakora explained that he was scheduled to join the new USL Championship side, the San Diego Loyal, but had some unfortunate circumstances happen with his family back home in Ghana delayed him signing the agreement. Six hours before he was going to sign, new Roots coach Jordan Ferrell texted Attakora and expressed that Oakland was also interested in his services. He then did some research about the team and was attracted to the mission of the Roots. “The more I learned about [the Roots] the more interested I became.”

“He’s clearly shown that he’s a top player at a number of different levels,” said Roots head coach Jordan Ferrell noting his MLS and Deltas experience. “Nana will be equally as important to us this year. We have a couple other center-backs we have and are bringing in that will be able to partner him and give us much more defensive solidity.”

The center back passed his physical and participated in some light drills on his first day with the team. “This is going to be my 14th year now [as a professional],” explained Attakora. “It’s just about getting my mind right again, mentally and physically, and preseason will take care of itself.”

Attakora is the most recent notable veteran pro player signed by the team. Former MLS forward and USL Golden Boot striker Matt Foundy and forward Tristan Bowen, the first-ever MLS homegrown player. Bowen also played in the MLS for Chivas USA and the Seattle Sounders.

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Douglas Zimmerman curates the Beautiful Blog, which covers the ‘beautiful game’ of soccer in the Bay Area and around the world. He recently released a photo book documenting the fans of the World Cup that he started in 2002.

Follow on Twitter: @zimpix