Utrecht hero signs up for Sparta

Forward Igor Gluščević has signed a three-year deal with AC Sparta Praha. The 29-year-old joins the Czech Republic champions on a free transfer from Dutch club FC Utrecht.
   
Spain spell
The 29-year-old Gluščević began his career with FK Vojvodina before spending three years in Spain with CF Extremadura and Sevilla FC. After a year on loan with Greek side Aris Thessaloniki FC he moved to Utrecht in 2000, going on to score 39 league goals during a three-year stay.

Finest hour
His finest hour in the Netherlands came at the beginning of June when he helped Utrecht lift the Dutch Cup with two goals against Feyenoord in a 4-1 final win, which proved to be his farewell game for the club.

'Prolific scorer'
"He had offers from Spain, Italy and the Netherlands, but he chose Sparta. We have acquired a very prolific scorer," said Sparta chairman Vlastimil Kostál when asked about the signing of Gluščević, who won one cap for the former Yugoslavia in 2000 in a friendly against Greece.

Fifth new signing
Gluščević is the fifth new face to arrive at the Letná stadium as Sparta prepare for the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round. Sparta have also signed Jirí Rosický from Schwarz Weiss Bregenz, Patrik Jezek from Karlsruher SC, Pavel Krmas from SK Hradec Králové and Radoslav Kovác from SK Sigma Olomouc. Meanwhile former national team captain Jirí Nemec, who played for FK Chmel Blšany last season, is set to return to Sparta in the next few days.