© EuroFootball.com
Zagreb's "Dinamo" club, which will face Lithuania's champion Panevėžys in the second round of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, has received a solid reinforcement - the team will soon be joined by German national team defender Jens Nowotny.
The experienced 32-year-old footballer, based in Mallorca, Spain, worked out all the contract details with Zagreb's team vice president Zdravko Mamić and will soon put pen to a three-year contract worth over 3 million euros.
"I can only say that my team has significantly strengthened," rejoiced "Dinamo" coach Josip Kuze.
For the last ten years, the German defender has defended the team's honor, joining them in 1996 from the "Karlsruher SC" team.
The previous season was not easy for J. Nowotny - the footballer spent a long time recovering from a knee ligament injury that plagued him, but upon his return to the field, he showed good athletic form and helped the team secure a spot in the UEFA Cup. The "Bayer" officials tried to keep the defender on their team by offering a profitable two-year contract, but the footballer himself did not hide his desire to seek fortune abroad. His services were also of interest to Italy.
The famous player's decision to continue his career in the Croatian team was influenced by the club's defender Zoran Mamić, who played alongside the German from 1998 to 2000 at "Bayer."
This is not the only newcomer in the ranks of "Dinamo." Midfielder Jasmin Agić, who played for the South Korean team "FC Incheon," has also returned to the team. The 31-year-old player signed a two-year contract.
Let's remember that the first match against "Dinamo" will be played by "Ekranas" at home next Tuesday. The return match in Zagreb will take place on August 2.
