Though English club Coventry City won’t confirm a deal, New Zealand international Marko Stamenić is “totally prepared” for the move, says his current coach.
Red Star Belgrade coach Nenad Milijaš has told zurnal.rs Stamenić (22) will join the English Championship club after a fortnight of media speculation.
“Stamenić is a quality player who showed quality at the beginning and end of his stay at the Maracana. I hope he does well in Coventry,” Milijaš was quoted as saying.
Serbian media reports have claimed Stamenić would be joining Coventry on a four-year deal, with a transfer fee paid to FC Crvena Zvezda (Red Star) of NZ$8.8 million with a 10% sell-on fee.
READ MORE: Reports link All Whites’ Marko Stamenić to $8.8 million move to English club >>>>
Coventry have declined any public comment so far, though speculation was fuelled by social media photographs of Stamenić visiting London in early June.
“Marko is not from our climate and I believe that he will fit in very quickly,” Milijaš said.
“I mean the language, his mother tongue is English, that’s why he is totally prepared.
“Marko is excellently prepared, even for a tough league such as the Championship,” he said.
“He will have no problems with the physical requirements, the rest will be helped by the people from the club so that he can play well for Coventry from the first game.”
Milijaš described 21-cap All White Stamenić as a classic ‘box to box’ midfielder.
Wellington-born Stameniċ played his youth football for Western Suburbs before heading overseas in 2020 for his first professional contract with Danish Superliga club Copenhagen.
He joined Crvena Zvezda on a free transfer last year, playing 35 games in their recently-completed season, scoring two goals and being credited with one assist. He helped them achieve a league-cup double.
Main photo: Marko Stamenić was unveiled as a Crvena Zvezda player in February 2023.
WATCH: All Whites midfielder Marko Stamenić collects cup winner’s medal >>>>
The European transfer window officially opens on Saturday June 15, 2024 (NZT).
More football stories
