Sydney FC championship player Karol Kisel is set to return to the Sky Blues for another tilt at the Hyundai A-League.
Sydney FC skipper Terry McFlynn certainly knew what the Sky Blues had in midfielder Karol Kisel long before he left: A quality international who played a massive role in the club’s double title win last season.
Feeling jilted by what he considered a below par contract offer, Kisel headed back to the Czech Republic before the champagne could go flat on Sydney’s remarkable campaign.
But time heals all wounds and club and player have patched up any lingering differences, leaving the way clear for the impish 33-year-old to return to the SFS for the 2011/12 A-League season.
His return will be officially announced during the half-time break in Sydney’s season-ending meeting with Wellington on Wednesday night.
But already the excitement within the Sky Blues camp is palpable.
“Absence makes the heart grow fonder. We welcome him back with open arms,” McFlynn said before his side’s final training run on Tuesday.
“He did fantastically well for us when he was here.”
“He loved the place, he loved the club and he always wanted to come back one day and thankfully it’ll be next season.”
The classy Kisel may have been under-rated by some in the A-League but not at Sydney.
His ability to prise open defences has been sorely missed this season, especially during Nicky Carle’s injury-enforced absence, and it cut deep when he walked out.
Without Kisel and a host of other members of the double premiership-winning team, the Sky Blues have been off the finals pace all season.
“He’s an international footballer. He’s played a lot of games for Slovakia, he’s played Champions League with Sparta Prague and he came here for one season and won the double,” McFlynn said of his little mate.
“His credentials speak for themself.”
“Working with the boy day in day out, you can see his quality and energy and enthusiasm.”
“It was infectious and rubbed off on everyone. We can’t wait to have him back.”
“He’ll be a great addition to our squad.”
It appears Kisel has lost nothing since departing Sydney, scoring six goals in 17 outings for Slavia Prague in the Czech first division.
Unfortunately Sydney will have to wait until next season to see Kisel back on the SFS, with his commitments in the Czech Republic preventing him from turning out with the Sky Blues in the Asian Champions League.
Meanwhile, McFlynn said the players were determined to keep their recent good run of form going against finals-bound Wellington before turning attention to the ACL.
