Oravec after trying Scottish Dunfermline anchored in the Greek Panionios

Zdroj: Korzár, Tomáš Petro

After the notified departure of Tomas Oravec, born near Kosice, from the Austrian club Admira Vienna there was several days lasting discussion about where he would anchor. In the past he played for 1. FC Kosice, MFK Ruzomberok and Viktoria Zizkov. Afterwards there were several clubs interested in this player. Finally, yesterday he signed a one-year contract with a 1 year option with the Greek first division club Panionios Athens. Tomas Oravec, the Slovak national team player with 7 caps, has already joined his new team.

“Several clubs tried to sign Tomas. Last week I spent 4 days with Tomas in the Scottish club Dunfermline Athletic. He took part in three practice sessions. It was not a proper trial; they just wanted to see him in action. He drew attention of the coaches and the management of the club as well. The situation in Dunfermline Athletic was quite complicated while we were there. They were consulting another player and waiting for the result. We couldn’t wait longer. This was the reason why the transfer failed.

There were another offers from several different countries, among them Russia, Ukraine, Slovakia (Artmedia Bratislava) and even one Dutch club. Unfortunately, that time the discussion with the Greek club was already in the final phase. The main points in favor of Panionios Athens are the following: high quality Greek league (7th in Europe) and high ambitions of the club (they are trying to be among the best 3 or 4 clubs). Moreover, there are several players from Czech and Slovak Republic in this club. I hope there will be a good co-operation between Tomas and other Slovakian forward Mario Breska” declared player’s manager and licensed FIFA agent Jozef Tokos.

Other newcomers are Martin Vaniak (a goalkeeper) and David Langer (a midfielder) that came in summer after the introduction of a new coach, Josef Csaplar. Csaplar knows Tomas since he played in Czech Gambrinus league. “He knows him very well and it is always a positive impulse when a coach of a club wants a particular player,” added Jozef Tokos. According to the licensed agent, the offer from Ukraine was financially more lucrative. “The money is not always determining. Ten days ago Tomas celebrated his 25th birthday and he would like to achieve success in the European football,“ stated Jozef Tokos. After signing the contract Tomas Oravec immediately joined his new team that is currently training in mountains, around 300 km far from Athens.