Maribor presented three reinforcements on Friday: the return of Marko Božić, Marko Kolar in attack and a stronger defence … Japanese!

Published on 23. June 2023 23. June 2023

Returnee Marko Bozic, by
Maribor
has finally bought from the newly promoted Italian top-flight
Frosinone
, Croatian striker Marko Kolar and Japanese defender Itsuki Urata were also officially confirmed as new members of the Violets on Friday. As for Marko Bozic, he needs no introduction to the Slovenian public. He already wore the Violets jersey in the 2022/23 season, in which he was one of the best players in Maribor, and before that he also played for Radomlje in the Telemach First League. Last year he was loaned to Maribor by Frosinone, now he is a “full” member of the Violets.

Marko Kolar, 28, moves to the capital of Styria from Poland, where he last played for Wisla Plock. In his youth he was a Croatia youth international, and in his club career he also played for Dinamo Zagreb, Wisla Kraków and Emmen.The 26-year-old Itsuki Urata moves to Slovenia from Croatia, where he wore the jersey of Varazdin, and in Europe he also proved his worth in Ukraine with Zorya. Maribor brought him in the first line because of Ignacio Guerrico’s injury, and the Japanese is also playing at left-back.

Read also

“The objective of strengthening the team as quickly as possible has been achieved. At the same time, we have fulfilled the second part of the plan, to bring in players we know as quality on the pitch and also off the pitch, in terms of character. We needed new solutions in attack and defence, and we opted for proven candidates. Marko Kolar arrives in a transfer from Wisla Plock without compensation, with a percentage of the next transfer to his former club. We wanted different profiles of forwards, Marko is different from Skuka. He is a player with great movement and energy. We have agreed on a two-year contract and he can join the team immediately. He has already been working under the supervision of our coach and I believe he will adapt quickly to the demands,“, Marko Šuler told the club’s website.

Japanese is like Sikosh

The former Slovenian international also touched upon the Asian arrival, the first Japanese in Maribor’s history.The injury to Guerrico, who will be out for some time, also forced us to find a new solution on the left side of the defence. It would be too risky to start the season with only Strajnar, when we are facing European qualifiers and the opening of the national championship. Our pick is Itsuki Urata, the first Japanese in a Maribor jersey, who will make sure that all playing positions are doubled. He is similar to Sikoško in terms of his characteristics, and the gap created first by his injury and now by Nacho’s injury will be filled by a player we have watched in Varaždin’s jersey and who Damir Krznar knows very well. The agreement is for one year, with the possibility of extending the cooperation.”