The Macedonian has signed a year long loan at The Britannia from Dynamo Kiev but what can we tell you about the left sided operator?
After a reasonably quiet summer so far Stoke City tied up two transfers this weekend, with the arrival of injury prone Wolves winger Michael Kightly and now Dynamo Kiev full-back Goran Popov.
So who is Goran Popov and what does he bring Tony Pulis’s side?
1. Goran Popov started his career with local Macedonian side Belasica before his first move to Greece with Proodeftiki and then AEK Athens.
2. He failed to make an impact in the Greek capital so soon moved back to the Balkans with Serbian heavyweights Red Star Belgrade but following on from a disappointing spell in Greece; this was also an unsuccessful transfer.
3. After a loan spell in Poland with Odra he ventured back to Greece with Egaleo and then a loan spell to Levadiakos followed and at 223 his career seemed set for a journeyman’s obscurity.
4. However he was picked up by Dutch side Heerenveen in the summer of 2008 and went on to score one of the goals in their KNVB Cup success over Feyenoord in his first season in the Eredivisie and earning a move to Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kiev.
5. It was during Europa league matches against Stoke that the 6ft 2in left back first impressed Tony Pulis who has now acted on that interest by signing him to a one year loan deal.
6. England will therefore be the 7th country he has played in during his career with Stoke City being the 10th team. Popov is only 27.
7. He doesn’t follow in many footsteps in terms of Macedonians playing in the Premier League with Artim Sakiri of West Brom and Gjorgi Hristov of Barnsley the best previous examples.
8. His younger brother Robert is also a professional footballer. He is currently playing in Switzerland for SC Kriens after spells at Belasica, Bulgarian side Litex Lovech and French outfit AJ Auxerre.
9. Goran has been a regular in his national side setups since under-19 level and made his international debut in 2004. He has since gone on to make 41 senior appearances scoring twice; against Estonia in only his second international and Montenegro in 2008.
10. He may have gained notoriety amongst English fans after being the victim of a kung-fu kick tackle by Mario Balotelli in a Europa League match in 2011. The Italian was sent off for the offence and their meeting this season should be interesting.
A left back that can also play in left midfield he adds much needed cover in The Potters fullback area. At 6ft 2in and powerful in the air he fits the mould of a Stoke City player and will aim to show his worth at The Britannia next season.
Here is the new recruit scoring a splendid left foot strike against Dutch giants Ajax…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwHitWduS14
images: © Ronnie Macdonald, © ronnie macdonald
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