Asante Kotoko have reached an agreement to augment their squad with the signing of defender Atta Kusi.

The free agent right-back previously played for Ghana Premier League side Liberty Professionals and was among some of the players who tried out with the side prior to the end of the first transfer window for the 2014/15 season. Congestion at the right-back position delayed his signing, but the club’s failure to extend the contract of Rahim Ayew, which expired in December last year, has opened the doors for Kusi to be handed a deal.

Kusi has been handed a three-year deal and will have to compete with Christopher Bonney and Amos Frimpong for the starting role at Asante Kotoko’s right side of defence.

Kotoko sources have informed supersport.com that the club played their role in trying to secure a two-year extension with utility player Rahim Ayew – the first son of Ghana legend Abedi Pele.

According to sources, the departure point was the figures of the new two-year offer – something he is quoted to have described as “insulting”.

The former Zamalek and SK Lierse man who plays across the midfield positions and at right-back was offered the same terms of his initial 12-month stint when he believed he had done enough to prove his relevance to coach Didi Dramani’s team.

He deserved improved terms was his stance, hence his decision to stay away from training when his contract expired at the beginning of December last year.