Levski snap up Zimonjic

PFC Levski Sofia have completed their first winter signing after snapping up 24-year-old Yugoslavian defensive midfielder Sasa Zimonjic from FK Obilic.

'Big step forward'
At Levski, Zimonjic will join former team-mate Sasa Simonovic, who joined the club towards the end of the 2000/01 season. “This is a big step forward in my career. I know that Levski is one of the biggest teams in Bulgaria. I also talked to my friend Sasa Simonovic, and his impressions of the club were very good,” said Zimnojic.

'Champions again'
Levski’s new signing was also optimistic for his side’s prospects for the remainder of the season, saying: “I know that we are eight points behind [PFC] CSKA Sofia, but I hope that we can be champions once again and then play successfully in the European competitions.” 
 
Captain replacement
Zimojnic, who has signed a contract until June 2004, will replace captain Stanimir Stoilov, who announced his retirement from professional football and will only work as an assistant manager at the club from now on. “I am glad that Sasa [Zimonjic] joined us. He is a very classy player and can help us a lot, replacing Stoilov. He can play as a defensive midfielder and a sweeper,” said Levski coach Slavoljub Muslin.
 
Established career
Zimonjic, who is the second Yugoslavian player who Muslin has signed for Levski, has played in more than 150 league games for FK Borac Cacak and Obilic in Yugoslavia, scoring eleven goals.