Sydney FC coach Ian Crook is confident new signing Krunoslav Lovrek is the man to lead the Sky Blues attack next A-League season.
The former Croatian youth international was announced as Sydney’s latest recruit on Thursday, inking a one-year deal with the club.
Lovrek joins the Sky Blues from Chinese Super League side Qingdao Jonoon and has also played for Lierse in Belgium, Korea’s Chonbuk Motors and Hadjuk Split in his native Croatia.
After releasing attackers Mark Bridge, Bruno Cazarine and Juho Makela after last season, Crook is looking for the 32-year-old to lead the line for the Sky Blues in the upcoming campaign.
“His record speaks for itself. He can finish but he can create as well so that fitted into the bracket that we wanted,” Crook said on Thursday.
“We wanted someone who was capable of doing both. He’s someone who can play either as a number 9 or as a number 10 just in behind.
“He’s smart and technically very good so I’m just really delighted to have got him on board.
“He’s got some experience at a high level, he’s just such a humble individual.
“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.”
Lovrek, who represented Croatia at under-19, 20 and 21 level, has scored 76 goals in 265 appearances at senior club level.
He is equally comfortable as a striker or attacking midfielder and was also part of the Chonbuk side that made the ACL final in 2011.
Lovrek’s signing takes Sydney’s player roster to 20, with a few more signings expected before the club start pre-season training on July 16.
“I am very happy to be coming to Australia and Sydney FC,” Lovrek said.
“One thing the fans can be guaranteed is that I will give 100 percent all of the time.
“I think with the efforts of the team we can have a fantastic season and hopefully we can be successful.
“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.”
