New faces at Slovakian champions
Wednesday, January 15, 2003
Article summary
MŠK Žilina have signed striker Martin Fabuš and midfield player Zdeno Štrba to boost their title defence.
Article body
MŠK Žilina have signed two internationals as they bid to close the nine-point gap on Slovakian table-toppers SK Slovan Bratislava in the second half of the season.
New coach
Third-placed Žilina, the defending champions, have completed moves for striker Martin Fabuš from FK Laugaricio Trencín and midfield player Zdeno Štrba from ŠKM Púchov. It is a time of transition at Žilina, with the club having changed coach during the winter break when Jaroslav Rybá replaced the sacked Frantisek Komnacky.
Former top scorer
The 26-year-old Fabuš, who has played abroad at SK Sigma Olomouc in the Czech Republic and at German club Karlsruher SC, is regarded as one of the most dangerous strikers in Slovakian football. He has signed a two-year contract, and will hope to recapture the form that made him the country's top scorer in 1999. Fabuš, who has scored five times in 24 matches for Slovakia, hit eight goals in the first half of the season.
Newcomer from Púchov
Štrba, the other new face at Žilina, is also 26. He was first called into the Slovakia squad for a match against Turkey last September but has yet to make his full international debut. He has represented Púchov in the UEFA Cup and will hope for more European experience at his new club after agreeing a three-year deal.
