Squad No: 5
Position: Defender (C)
Place and Date of Birth: Mzuzu (Malawi), May 28 1983
Height and Weight: 6.0 / 13.03
Full Orient Debut: Away v Southend United (W2-1, August 11 2007)

Orient manager Martin Ling finally landed former Hereford United defender Tamika Mkandawire in June 2007 after a 12-month pursuit for his services.

The O's boss had been a long-time admirer of the Malawi-born centre back and he had a £60,000 bid for Mkandawire turned down by the Bulls prior to the 2006/07 season.

But once his contract expired a year later, Ling wasted little time in persuading Tamika to join the O's on a three-year deal.

Mkandawire started his career at West Bromwich Albion, but he struggled to make the breakthrough at the Hawthorns and he moved to Hereford United on loan during the 2003/04 season to gain first team experience.

That move was made permanent in July 2004 and he went on to win the club's Player-of-the-Year award for the next two seasons, skippering the Bulls to victory in the Conference play-off final at the end of the 2005/06 campaign.

Following an equally impressive year in League Two in 2006/07, Tamika was keen to test himself at an higher level and he is looking forward to making the most of that opportunity at Brisbane Road.