North Geelong Warriors have secured the services of teenage midfielder Ante Kozul, who joins the club from sister club the St Albans Saints effective immediately.
A Melbourne Knights junior, Kozul moved to Churchill Reserve in mid-2014 after spending the first half of the year at Somers Street, where he played in the 20s under Zeljko Kuzman.
He subsequently made his senior debut for the Saints in the latter rounds of the 2014 NPL1 season, while also appearing as a late substitute in Dinamo’s FFA Cup Round of 16 defeat to the Perth Glory at Knights Stadium in September 2014.
Kozul then had a breakthrough 2015 campaign under Joe Kovacevic, making 18 league appearances for the club, which also included a maiden senior goal against Bendigo City.
However, a combination of injuries and failure to break into the first team has seen his playing time restricted this season, with Kozul’s minutes limited to 20s.
Overall he made 21 senior league appearances for the Saints, and remains grateful to his childhood club for the senior opportunities provided to him at Fox Street.
“It was difficult to part ways with my childhood club [St Albans Saints] ‘Dinamo’ but it’s opened new doors and I’m taking a massive step forward now in my career,” Kozul said via press release.
“I was really excited when I got the call from Micky [Colina], and I didn’t have to think twice before taking the offer,” the versatile midfielder added.
“In the first week I can already see how good the group of boys are, as is the community. I hope to contribute positively and help the team in every way possible.”
The acquisition of the 19-year-old adds further depth to Micky Colina’s squad, which is depleted ahead of this week’s top-of-the-table NPL2 West clash away at the Moreland Zebras.
In-form midfielder Michael Anderson is overseas, while English forward Matthew Thorne is suspended after collecting a red card in last week’s 1-0 victory over Brunswick City at Elcho Park.
The capture of Kozul is the latest in a long line of player trades between the two NPL2 West sides, with Warriors supremo Colina having managed the Saints in 2012 and 2013, in addition to his long player career at the 1998 VPL Premiers.
Kozul is expected to make his debut for North Geelong in tomorrow’s much-anticipated fixture against the Zebras at CB Smith Reserve, with proceedings set to kick-off at 4pm.
Image: St Albans Saints