Tara Murray
Western United provides the whole package, according to new striker Aleksandar Prijovic.
Prijovic spoke with the media on Thursday, after getting out of quarantine early due to changes in the system.
Prijovic, who joined United on a multi-year deal, has enjoyed a prolific career-to-date across Europe and the Middle East and will add another dimension to Western United’s attack.
He most recently played with Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.
The Serbian said it was nice to get out of the hotel and meet his new teammates. He will soon be joined by his family who will make the journey to Australia.
“It has been tough with the quarantine,” he said.
“I was lucky to get out earlier and join the team. I’m happy to be here … I’m very motivated to catch up the rhythm and get used to the team and to start the season.
“I trained already on the side. Soon I will join the team to train.”
Prijovic, who has scored more than 150 goals in 400 games, said he had received many offers for this season.
He said while many of the clubs had some benefits, many didn’t provide the whole package.
“Many offers from Europe, Asia also. At some point I was refusing many offers, [as] the whole package was not right.
“Here was the whole package. The whole situation is that it’s a new club where we can do something big and build up something from the beginning, and this was for me a motivation to join this team.”
Prijovic said he had watched some footage of the competition before coming to Australia and had played with some players who had previously played in the competition.
Filling the role that was previously filled by Besart Berisha, the league’s leading goal scorer, Prijovic said he didn’t feel the pressure to produce the same output.
“I’m very motivated and put enough pressure on myself all my life as a professional football player,” he said. “I’ve been doing pretty well so far.
“I’m someone who works hard and wants to compete and get better, i don’t see any pressure from outside, I do that already enough on myself.
“I’m in my best years as a striker.”
Prijovic said he was aiming to be fit for round one on November 20 and would work hard in the meantime to get himself up to fitness.
The 31-year-old said he would look to help some of the younger strikers progress their career, something he had success in previously.
He also gave United fans a hint of what to expect from him this season.
“[I’m a] finisher in the box,” he said.
“That’s my zone, that’s where I’m dangerous. I think my body is a plus in building up and holding up the ball.”
United coach John Aloisi praised Prijovic’s continuity at the highest level and said it is a big plus to have the striker coming in with confidence and form on his side.
“What we love about Aleksandar is his consistency in scoring goals regardless of where he has played and his desire to continue to add to his tally with Western United,” he said when Prijovic signed with the club.
