PETALING JAYA: Kuala Lumpur coach Bojan Hodak remains a busy man even during the holidays but those hours on the phone seem to have paid off.
The Croatian revealed that the City Boys are set to sign some quality new players after centreback Irfan Zakaria left for Sabah and striker Jordan Mintah returned to Terengganu after his loan stint.
After confirming his stay with KL for another season, Hodak said they are close to sealing deals for four high-profile players – two foreign and two local – in the Malaysian League.
First is Ivory Coast striker Tchetche Kipre, a feared striker here since 2017 and who last played for Terengganu.
The 35-year-old scored 13 goals in 14 Super League games last season. In cup competitions, he scored two in the FA Cup and three in the Malaysia Cup.
Kipre will surely be the main man upfront for KL.
He will be assisted by Filipino international Patrick Reichelt, who plays on the flanks but is also a capable goal scorer.
The 34-year-old played for Melaka in 2019, scoring 12 goals in 28 matches. After that, he featured in the Thai League, playing for Suphanburi and, most recently, PT Prachuap.
As for the locals, KL are set to snap up playmaker Firdaus Saiyadi on loan from Perak and defender Khair Jones from Negri Sembilan.
Firdaus, 26, is a creative talent who can combine well with winger J. Partiban as both of them used to play together during their Perak days.
Khair, 33, boasts versatility in defence as he can play as a centreback or leftback.
Hodak is pleased with the deals he has made and will return to train the team on Jan 11.
“I’m on holiday now. I will start on Jan 11, so we will have enough time to prepare.
“Players have been given individual programmes to prepare for pre-season. When they come for the first day of training, they will be fit,” he said.
“With Tchetche Kipre and Patrick Reichelt, we should be scoring more goals next season. Firdaus Saiyadi and Khair Jones will also be filling important roles.’’
