Evelyn Badu will need time to adapt, says Avaldsnes IL boss John Arne Riise

Head coach of Norwegian top-flight women's side Avaldsnes IL, John Arne Riise has said new arrival, Evelyn Badu will need time to adapt, urging fans to stay calm.

The enterprising 19-year-old joins the Toppserien club on a two-and-a-half-year deal from Ghana Women's Premier League champions, Hasaacas Ladies.

Badu played a vital role in Hasaacas winning quadruple last season and also helped the side to play in the finals of the maiden, CAF Women's Champions League but lost the trophy to Mamelodi Sundowns.

However, the former Liverpool defender Riise admits she will need time to adapt.

"Evelyn is an offensively exciting player with good basic skills," Riise told the club's website.

"She has a good eye, is a facilitator, and will hopefully give us a lot of joy on the field.

"But it is important to give her time for everything new she wants to experience here in Norway, not just a new country and new culture, but not least another football culture."

Having represented her country at Under-17 and Under-20 level, midfielder Badu scored five goals to emerge top scorer and the most valuable player in last month's inaugural Women's Champions League tournament in Egypt.

Riise is excited about the arrival of the player, capped twice at senior level for Ghana, ahead of the 2022 Toppserien season which starts in May.

"Despite that [needing time to settle down], we are betting that Evelyn will be a good addition to our team in 2022," he added.

Badu is the club's second signing since Riise took charge early this month, following the arrival of American winger Sydney Blomquist last week.