Andrea Dossena to Leyton Orient: Latest Transfer Details, Reaction and Analysis

Sitting just a point above the relegation zone after 16 games, League One side Leyton Orient signed Andrea Dossena to a one-year contract on a free transfer Thursday.    

The club announced the news via a press release on their website:

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Orient have today (Thursday) agreed a contract with former Liverpool, Napoli and Sunderland left sided player Andrea Dossena. 

The 33-year-old has been capped by Italy and was a free agent after being released by Sunderland at the end of last season. He is familiar playing at left back or on the left wing and joins the O's on a contract until the end of the season. 

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Dossena made just seven appearances for Sunderland last season, failing to score a goal or tally an assist and earning a poor 6.27 average match rating from WhoScored.com. In 2012-13 he split time between Napoli and Palermo, failing to score or add an assist in 18 Serie A appearances. 

His drop in form happened rather quickly, as he had a solid season for Napoli in 2011-12, scoring two goals and adding three assists in 33 appearances while earning a 6.78 average match rating from WhoScored.com.

The 33-year-old is clearly on the downside of his career, but his experience at the top levels will provide Leyton Orient with a serious upgrade down the left. He certainly should help the club stave off relegation, already a concern this season.