A confident Aleksandr Kokko has promised to deliver “goals, goals, goals” for Newcastle Jets and has thrown down a challenge to Melbourne City’s marquee signing Tim Cahill.
In his first press conference since linking with the Jets, Kokko said he would embrace the pressure of having to deliver for his new club in the Hyundai A-League.
Kokko scored 56 goals in 97 games for former club RoPS and twice took out the Finnish League’s golden boot award.
And while admitting he doesn’t know a lot about what he will face in his first summer of football in Australia, he was well aware of Melbourne City’s newest recruit.
“Cahill I know. Big player. The best player in Australian history?” Kokko told the Newcastle Herald on Wednesday.
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“It’s very good to see him arrive. We’ll see who’s better.”
Kokko, who stands at 1.89-metres talks a big game which will be just what coach Scott Miller will want to hear.
The 29-year-old has played for more than a decade in Finland and is excited about a fresh start and new challenge in Australia.
With the Jets the lowest scorers [28 goals in 27 matches] in the Hyundai A-League last season, Kokko will be charged with making the team more of a threat in the front third.
“Goals, goals and goals,” said Kokko, when asked what was expected of him next season.
“If you want to be the first striker, you must score the goals or you are on the bench, and nobody wants to be on the bench. The last five years I am always scoring, and I don’t see any reason why I won’t score here.”
With Morten Nordstrand (Denmark) and Wayne Brown (Finland), Kokko becomes the third player from Scandanavia coach Scott Miller has added to his squad this year.
“I like their mentality. It’s not that I demand Scandinavians come to this club, but it’s a mentality I appreciate and respect,” Miller said.
“Their brand of football and their education support is what I’m trying to do here in terms of the style of play.”
