In Tzonkov We Trust
Encouraged by the possibility of a berth in the quarterfinals of the Singapore Cup, Grilled coach
Han Lik-Tsun opened his chequebook to the tune of S$1.36 million for former Bulgarian U-20 centreback
Slavcho Tzonkov, former No. 4 of Danish club Volvo.Fc. Déli Park (Hungarian Division Six) and FC Hull-City (French Division Four) were reportedly also interested in the fleet-footed defender.
Grilled were also thought to be considering Peruvian legend Fredy Godoy, under recommendation from Silvera, but the 35 year-old's age and wages proved a stumbling block, with Tzonkov a full two years younger.
"Although Vukota is near recovery, Tzonkov will give us a lot of tactical options." Han said. "Like Chinchay, he's a legitimate two-position man, and will allow us to emphasize either defence or midfield within a game without expending a substitution. I am sure that he will be a credit to the Number Three jersey worn by Ding, Alcántara and Mausisa."
It will not be Tzonkov's first encounter with Singapore, as he once played an international against the Young Lions, which had current seluraralc keeper Chua Puay Ming on the bench. That was soon after his move from Southbridge, where he emerged from the youth system, to the larger C_200, but his later S$4.5 million transfer to Volvo.Fc proved to portend a productive if not extremely distinguished career.
"I want to win something really big before I retire." Tzonkov said simply.
