Partizan bank on Diarra knowledge

FK Partizan have begun preparations for their UEFA Cup first qualifying round tie against NK Zrinjski by signing the Bosnia-Herzegovinan club's former midfielder Lamine Diarra, who joins along with defender Milovan Sikimić.

'Best option'
The 23-year-old Diarra, who scored five goals in 30 matches for Zrinjski in 2005/06 before spending last season on loan at Portuguese Liga side SC Beira-Mar, has signed a three-year contract with the Serbian runners-up, and is confident he has made the right move. "I've played for Zrinjski and Partizan are a much bigger and stronger club - I chose the best option for me," said the Senegalese midfielder. "I know what the club's target is for the future and I believe I can help them get there."

Sikimić return
Centre-back Sikimić has also put pen to paper on a deal that will keep him in Belgrade until 2010, and joins from French side En Avant Guingamp. The 26-year-old started his career with FK Sartid and also had a spell with FK Mladenovac before moving to Guingamp in 2002/03, going on to make 148 league appearances over five seasons. Both players will start training today with Partizan, whose tie with Zrinjski takes place on 19 July and 2 August.