Ex-FSV Mainz 05 striker Petar Sliskovic has joined Chennaiyin FC on one-year contract ahead of the upcoming Indian Super League 2022-23 season, the Marina Machans have confirmed on July 8. The 31-year-old arrives after a half-an-year stint at German third division side SV Wehen Wiesbaden.
Chennaiyin FC co-owner Vita Dani issued the following statement in welcoming Sliskovic to the club:
“Petar Sliskovic is a great addition to our squad. Having played in many different clubs in Germany with some top coaches and players, Sliskovic also has the experience that some of our youngsters can feed off.”
A product of FSV Frankfurt’s youth academy, the Croat made his professional debut in the Bundesliga with Mainz at the age of 19 and stayed with the club for five seasons until 2015.
He was also a member of the FSV Mainz U-19 Bundesliga team that won the championship in 2008-09. In addition to FSV Mainz, the striker has previously played for Hallescher FC, Viktoria 1889 Berlin, and MSV Duisburg.
Sliskovic has only played for one non-German club in his 12-year career, FC Aarau. The 31-year-old spent two seasons at the Swiss club, beginning in 2014-15, and appeared in 31 matches across all competitions, tallying five goals and two assists.
“I am very happy about my move to Chennaiyin FC. It’s a great club to go to, I hear. And I’ll give everything to make sure we succeed,”
he said ahead of his maiden stint in India.
He is primarily a centre-forward who has 136 goals and 16 assists in 359 games. His 193-cm height will benefit Chennaiyin FC as they look to use him inside the box during free-kick and corner conversions. His height will be a valuable asset to the Super Machans during the 2022-23 ISL season.
Sliskovic becomes Chennaiyin FC’s fourth foreign signing. Senegal centre-back Fallou Diagne, Iranian central defender Vafa Hakhamaneshi, and Ghanaian striker Kwame Karikari were the first three foreign signings for the club.
