Željezničar players depart for preparations in Antalya

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Players and coaching staff of FK Željezničar have departed for Antalya where they will carry out the main part of preparations for the continuation of the season in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In their permanent base in Turkey, Željo will stay until January 6, and will play three friendly matches. The opponents are Etar, DAC Dunajská Streda and Zorya.

Newcomer Stojan Vranješ, who yesterday signed a one-and-a-half-year contract with the Željezničar team, gave his first statement in the blue jersey.

- I must thank the management and the sports director for the transfer happening. Following the Bosnian league, I can say that Željezničar shows why they are first, and that was one of the reasons to return to our football after eight years. Expectations are to win the double crown. I know the team. There are both young and talented players. The team is currently first and therefore the best in the league. I followed the league as much as I could. I watched a couple of Željo's matches - said Vranješ.

Given that in some media at the end of last month a statement by Vranješ appeared in which he claimed there was no chance he would move to the Željezničar team, the former Bosnia and Herzegovina international stated that he did so in agreement with the sports director.

- In agreement with the club, I stated that there was no chance I would come to Željezničar. I had a valid contract that I could not risk. I had a firm agreement with Željo and that was the only way to remove pressure from the club so they would not block my transfer. I followed the club's instructions - emphasized Vranješ. 

Before departure, the strategist of the blue team, Admir Adžem, said that they have already done a lot of work, and that the preparations in Turkey and the friendly matches will help them even more to get ready for the continuation of the season.

- A lot of work is behind us. A lot has been done here, everything went according to plan. In Antalya we will have good pitches, good opponents, and the new players should prepare well. We looked for targeted reinforcements to improve the team we were satisfied with - said Adžem.

After returning from Turkey, Željezničar will have a general rehearsal before the continuation of the championship against Velež in Mostar on February 10, and seven days later the blues begin the spring part of the championship against Krupa in Krupa na Vrbasu.