Ian Crook has bolstered Sydney FC’s attack for the upcoming Hyundai A-League season, signing Croatian striker Krunoslav Lovrek on a one-year deal.
Ian Crook has bolstered Sydney FC’s attack for the upcoming Hyundai A-League season, signing Croatian striker Krunoslav Lovrek on a one-year deal.
The 32-year-old, who represented Croatia at U19, U20 and U21 level, joins the Sky Blues from Chinese Super League side Qingdao Jonoon.
“I am very happy to be coming to Australia and Sydney FC,” Lovrek said.
“I-ve spoken to the coach and he-s told me the way he wants to play which I think is going to be a fantastic way of playing and my first impressions of everything around the club is great.”
The striker/attacking midfielder spent some time in Sydney recently to look over the facilities and meet Crook and club officials, undergoing a stringent medical.
Lovrek has played 265 senior club matches throughout his career, scoring 76 goals while playing for Lierse (Belgium), Chonbuk Motors (Korea) and Qingdao Jonoon (China) as well as NK Zagreb and Hadjuk Split in his native Croatia.
He was also part of the Chonbuk Motors side that went through to the final of the 2011 AFC Asian Champions League, missing the decider through suspension.
“His record speaks for itself,” Crook said.
“He can finish but he can create as well so that fitted into the bracket that we wanted. We wanted someone who was capable of doing both.
“He-s someone who can play either as a No.9 or as a No.10 just in behind. He-s smart and technically very good so I-m just really delighted to have got him on board.
“The thing I really like is that he wants to play and learn, he-s not looking for a payday. Realistically if he was, he wouldn-t be here.”
