KUALA NERUS – Terengganu FC (TFC) new head coach, Tomislav Steinbruckner intends to engage the service of two players from his home country, Croatia to fill the import quota of the squad next season.
Also being considered is a player from an Asean country to complete the vacancy left by German-Filipino player Manuel Ott who was rumoured to be following the footsteps of former TFC coach Nafuzi Zain who is moving to join Kedah next year.
“We intend to set offers to some foreign players...I am looking for one striker and defender midfielder to replace Kpah Sherman and Kipre Tchetche.
“I believe we can bring two Croatian players, but we still looking for one more Asean player to replace Manny (Manuel Ott),” he said when met at the office of Terengganu Football Club Sdn Bhd (TFCSB) here.
Apart from that, Steinbruckner who was the technical director of the Turtles, planned to bring in several young players from the junior team Terengganu FC II (TFC II) to the main team next season.
According to Steinbruckner, among potential players to be promoted included Muhammad Safwan Mazlan and Aqil Irfanuddin Mohd Sabri who have made appearances for the lead team this season.
“Maybe I’ll bring some TFC ll players like Safwan, he deserves to play in first squad (TFC) and of course some players under contract like Aqil.
“He is now 25 (years old)...can’t play with Terengganu squad under 23 anymore and will start with my team in the new season,” he said.
In this regard, he denied a rumour that TFC are interested in getting the service of former Sabah FC players, Luka Milunovic and Sanjar Shaakhmedov to beef up the squad next season. – Bernama, December 3, 2022