Magnus Okuonghae says Dagenham & Redbridge has always been a special club for him after joining for second spell

Magnus Okuonghae during his previous stint with Dagenham & Redbridge (pic: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO) Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO c/o 27 Plaiters Way, Braintree, Essex, CM7 3LR - Editorial Use ONLY - FA Premier League and Football League images are subject to Licencing restrictions

Daggers centre-back says he looked out for club’s results even while playing for rivals

Share Email this article to a friend To send a link to this page you must be logged in.

Magnus Okuonghae says that Dagenham & Redbridge has always been special to him after joining the club for a second spell last week.

The centre-back returned to Victoria Road last Friday on a short-term deal until January 2 and played in Saturday’s 4-1 loss to Barrow and the 1-0 defeat to Torquay United in midweek.

It had been over seven years since the 30-year-old last donned a Daggers shirt before facing the Bluebirds, but he says he still kept up to date during his time away.

“I’ve played for a few clubs in my time, but Dagenham is always one that I’ll look out for their results and wish them well,” he said.

“I was devastated to see the club go down last year and now that I’ve got a chance to help the club get back to where I believe it should be, I’m delighted to get that opportunity.

“It’s a family club and when you play for Dagenham, you fall in love with the club, you play with a passion and a pride.

“The boys are disappointed with the two defeats, but there is more than enough in there to turn this little bad spell around.”

It is also the third time that Okuonghae has been signed by boss John Still, who initially brought him to Daggers in 2007 and also took him to Luton Town last summer.

And Okuonghae, who has also played for Colchester United, said it is some shared qualities that has led to him working with Still on many different occasions.

“John is honest and looks after his players, he’s loyal and I’d like to think he sees the same qualities in myself, hence why he has signed me three times,” added Okuonghae.

“It’s frustrating that we haven’t been able to get the results for him over the last two games.”

The next few weeks will be interesting for Okuonghae, who is almost on a ‘paid trial’ as it were, with his initial deal lasting for just six weeks.

But the imposing defender hopes he can earn himself a longer deal with a string of good displays over the next month or so, adding: “I’ve been around the block and played enough games, seen enough things, so for me it’s just a case of getting out there and playing and doing as best as I can to help Dagenham achieve what I believe it can and should achieve.”

The next task for Okuonghae and his team-mates is a trip to Dover Athletic on Saturday, with the Whites having replaced Daggers in the play-off spots this week.

But the centre-back is confident the Victoria Road side will return to form sooner rather than later and get their season back on track.

“You have these little spells where nothing goes for you. You create chances and they’re not taken, but the opposition takes theirs,” he added.

“It’s tough, but we need people to stand up and be strong and be counted.”