Former QPR striker signed for Stevenage last week on a permanent deal

Gary Smith says bringing Patrick Agyemang into the club on a permanent deal will give him that depth up front he has been looking.

The former QPR striker, who left Loftus Road when his contract expired in the summer, was on loan at Stevenage for the second half of last season and made 13 starts for the club, scoring once at Yeovil Town.

Agyemang signed a one-year deal with Stevenage on transfer deadline day last week following a summer-long search by Smith to add to his threadbare front line, and the 31-year-old featured in Saturday’s draw with Shrewsbury Town.

Speaking about his new recruit, Smith said: “Pat Agyemang is somebody that we all know and the fans have seen a reasonable amount of.

“We know what Pat’s capable of and the key was trying to come to a contractual conclusion and fortunately we’ve been able to come to an agreement and I’m excited to have Pat here permanently.

“The guys know him well, he’s a great character and he’s an experienced individual who we can have as part of our front line.”

In addition to Agyemang, Smith last week secured the signing of Spanish striker Dani Lopez on a year’s deal as well as Swindon Town midfielder Oliver Risser, who played 32 times for the Robins last season, on loan.

Speaking about Lopez, Smith said: “Dani joined us halfway through pre-season.

“He gives us an awful lot of technique and talent and is possibly one of the most talented goalscorers, certainly in training, that I’ve seen.

“His technique is wonderful, both feet, and he’s something different as a forward.

“He wants to play off a front man in an attacking pocket. He has a good eye for goal, and is very creative.

“He’s going to be a way off of being part of the first team [at the moment] and we need to get him some games, but he’s a good addition nonetheless.”

Talking about the loan deal involving Risser, Smith said he wanted to bring in somebody who was a little different to what he already had at the club.

“He is a physical individual, slightly bigger and slightly more dominant and powerful,” Smith said about the midfielder, who is likely to feature in this evening’s (Tuesday) Johnstone’s Paint Trophy match at Dagenham & Redbridge.

“We have some real good midfield players in there, I’ve been delighted with the way they’ve attacked the competitions so far this season, but we’re going to run into different arenas week in, week out this year and I want to make sure I’ve got he artillery needed.”