Club

SIMON SLUGA | "I'M GLAD AND VERY HAPPY FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY"

Simon Sluga spoke of his delight at becoming the Hatters’ new club record signing after agreeing to move from Croatian club HNK Rijeka for a fee of more than €1.3m.

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The 26-year-old Croatian international joined up with the Hatters squad in time for this season’s team photo, and in his first interview with iFollow Hatters, he said: “I’m glad and very happy for this opportunity. I’m very happy that the club wants me and decided that I’m the guy, so I have only happy feelings.”

Sluga said his talks with manager Graeme Jones told him that England – and in particular, Kenilworth Road – was the place to come to further his career in the Sky Bet Championship.

“We spoke a few times and I saw him as a very positive guy, a very good coach and when he told me about his vision of football and his vision of me in the goal and everything, it meant a lot to me,” said the 6ft 3ins keeper. “It’s one of the main things that made me decide to come here.

“I found out that it was a possibility a few days ago when I was with Rijeka in pre-season in Slovenia, and Luton were too. Then in the past few days everything has happened when I realised that they wanted me and it was an opportunity.”

Sluga played against the Hatters last summer in a friendly at the pre-season training camp in Kranjska Gora, and having been linked with several English clubs this summer, he spoke to fellow Croatians who have experience of the game over here.

“One year ago we were playing against each other,” he smiled. “It was a good game. I remember the game, I remember everything.

“I know a lot of things about Luton Town, about the town, about the Championship as a league, so I can only say again that I’m glad to have the opportunity to be here. I want to help the club to have a great season, to stay in the league and if we can, to push for the play-offs.

“I spoke with Lovre Kalinic, from Aston Villa, who played half a season here. He told me everything. I spoke with my coach in Rijeka, Igor Bišćan, who played for Liverpool, and with other guys. Everyone told me ‘Come, it’s a great league, a great opportunity, go and show what you know’. I think I made the right decision for me.”

*Click on the image above to watch Simon’s first interview for FREE on iFollow Hatters!

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