Sydney delighted with Lovrek capture

Lovrek, 32, who started his career with NK Zagreb in his homeland, said he is 'very happy' to be joining Sydney after signing a one-year deal.

"One thing the fans can be guaranteed is that I will give 100 per cent all of the time," Lovrek said. "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."

As well as two stints at NK Zagreb, Lovrek has also played for Cerezo Osaka (Japan), Hajduk Split (Croatia), Lierse (Belgium), Eskiehirspor (Turkey) and Chonbuk Motors (Korea), before a short spell in China.

"His record speaks for itself," Sydney head coach Ian Crook said. "He can finish but he can create as well so that fitted into the bracket that we wanted. 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."