Chennai, July 6 (UNI) Chennaiyin FC have acquired the services of former FSV Mainz striker Petar Sliskovic ahead of the upcoming Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23 season, the club announced the signing through their social media handles, on Wednesday.
A product of FSV Frankurt’s youth academy, Sliskovic made his professional debut at the age of 19 in the Bundesliga with FSV Mainz and played for the club for five seasons, until 2015.
This marquee announcement comes right after the Chennaiyin FC camp was bolstered by Ghanaian forward Kwame Karikari’s services.
Welcoming Sliskovic to the club, Chennaiyin FC co-owner Vita Dani said: “Petar Sliskovic is a great addition to our squad. Having played in many different clubs in Germany with some top coaches and players, Sliskovic also has the experience that some of our youngsters can feed off.”
Sliskovic plays mostly as a centre-forward and has 136 goals and 16 assists to his credit from 359 games. Most of his career, he has played highly competitive football in Germany.
He was also part of FSV Mainz side that emerged the U-19 Bundesliga champions in 2008-09.
Besides FSV Mainz, the 6’4 striker has also played for several other German clubs including Hallescher FC, Viktoria 1889 Berlin and MSV Duisburg.
“I am very happy about my move to Chennaiyin FC. It's a great club to go to, I hear. And I'll give everything to make sure we succeed,” Sliskovic said ahead of maiden stint in India.
FC Aarau is the only non-German club Sliskovic has played for so far in his 12-year long career. The 31-year-old spent two seasons at the Swiss club, starting from 2014-15 and featured in 31 matches for them across competitions, registering five goals and two assists.
He has also represented Croatia U-21 team.
The Kalinga Warriors have struck a season-long loan deal with Kerala Blasters FC for defender Denechandra Meitei, the club announced the signing through their social media handles, on Wednesday.
Born in Manipur, Meitei started playing football at the age of 10 years. After training for several years, he managed to make it into the district team and then the Manipur football team in the youth nationals.
The defender started his professional career with Mohun Bagan A.C. in 2008. A year later, he joined the Sambhalpur Academy in Odisha. After going back to Manipur, he got recommended for a trial at Pune FC. Meitei got selected for the academy. While with the Pune FC academy, he won the I-League U19 twice.
The 28-year-old made his Hero ISL debut with Kerala Blasters FC and made his first appearance for the club against Chennaiyin FC in the Hero ISL 2020-21 season. After a year, Meitei signed a new three-year contract with Kerala Blasters FC, keeping him at the club until 2024.
Meitei has represented India at the U23 level where he played for the Blue Tigers in a tournament held in Bangladesh.
The versatile defender, who can also fill in at a defensive midfield position, will add more strength and depth to the OFC backline for the upcoming season.
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