Former Dutch international Victor Sikora has settled into Perth Glory and after his first Christmas alone, will look forward to suiting up in the Boxing Day clash with Adelaide United at Members Equity Stadium.
Sikora, 30, has played six matches for the Netherlands and his highest profile club stint was with Ajax Amsterdam between 2002-04 and he comes in good shape and ready to make an immediate impact.
Best suited to the left wing, but capable of playing a variety of roles, Sikora is looking forward to his first game in purple after most recently playing in the MLS with FC Dallas. He isn’t just treating it as a guest run to close out the season, though, as he wants to stay in Perth.
“It’s similar to the MLS and maybe a little tougher. As a club, we are still a chance to get to the playoffs and I want to give my 100 per cent to see if I can help it get there,” Sikora said.
“My strengths are my passing, swerving and speed, so hopefully I can help the squad. I feel fit, maybe not for 90 minutes, but I feel good and might need one or two games to settle in.”
“My goal is to stay. I’m here for three months now and would like to stay for one or two years after that if I can. I like what I see very much. It’s a nice small stadium and hopefully the crowd will come after the good win last week.”
Sunny Perth weather in contrast to the snow back home, training right on the Swan River and playing at a stadium he likes the look of is all making Sikora enjoy what he sees so far, but he would also like to see a kangaroo.
“It’s my first Christmas alone abroad, but that doesn-t matter to me. It’s 30 degrees different from where I was, but I like it after being in Dallas where it was even hotter than this. They tell me this isn’t hot for Perth though,” he said.
“Last year, they asked me to come here but I had to make the decision to go to America. I stayed in Holland, went to Dallas for four months and now I’m released. The club asked me back and Australia was one of my big wishes to come to. I wanted to come here because of the weather, the country and to see more of the world. I want to see a kangaroo too.”
Coach Dave Mitchell is glad to have Sikora on board after missing out on his services last year and if he impresses in the last part of this season, he would gladly keep him. Mitchell isn’t sure on where he fits in for this Friday’s game with Adelaide though.
“He’s a character, a good player and will add good value to the team if he plays. We have to win this game and need to work out if the best chance of doing that will be with him starting or coming off the bench,” Mitchell said.
“I went to Holland last year and watched him train and play. I was very keen on him then, but we couldn’t come to an agreement and he had to go to Dallas. We kept tabs on him, though, and he phoned me straight away when there was a chance to bring him back out there.”
“He’s very quick, a great dribbler, can take people on and can chip in with some goals as well. He’s played for Holland, for Ajax as well and you don’t play at that level if you aren’t a quality player. The players we’ve brought in have done really well and he will only add to that.”
