Veton Berisha: Rapid bring new striker to the club

SK Rapid is delighted to announce another capture concluded shortly before the summer transfer window slammed shut. With the club having been in the market for attacking re-enforcements, we welcome 23-year old striker Veton Berisha to the club, who joins us from German second division outfit SpVgg Greuther Fürth.

Berisha signed just before the weekend, putting pen to paper on a contract that will see him donning the famous Green & White until summer 2020 at the earliest. Our newest squad member had the chance to participate in Friday's training session and introduce himself to his new team mates. The two-footed attacker (1.75m) can be deployed either as a lone striker or as a wide forward on either flank. Born in the Norwegian town of Egersund, Berisha has made his way through various youth levels with the Norwegian international set-up, and has already made his debut for the A side last year. He made 68 competitive appearances for Greuther Fürth, scoring 12 goals and providing 11 assists in the process. The transfer fee will remain undisclosed.

Sporting Director Fredy Bickel: "Veton Berisha has the exact profile we were looking for in a striker. We’ve been watching him for an extended period of time and have previously had contact with him. We have regularly scouted him, right up until last weekend. Now we are pleased that we have managed to bring Veton to the club. He offers pace, mental toughness and brings a style with him that is going to benefit the team.

This signing closes our activity in the summer transfer market. We have the 26-man squad we spoke of, although three won't be fit enough to play until winter (injured trio Ivan Mocinic, Christopher Dibon and Philipp Malicsek are currently working towards fitness). However, we have openly stated that we feel we need to have 23 fit players available to us as we are only competing in national competitions this season."

Head Coach Goran Djuricin: "We're very happy that with Veton we have brought in another striker, who brings a different skill-set to the team, and whom with his quality is going to be a big help for us. As of Friday we will be getting him integrated into the squad straight away."

New signing Veton Berisha, who will sport the number 9 on the back of his jersey, said on his move to Hütteldorf: "I'm extremely happy that the transfer to Rapid has worked out. The club and the fans are more than simply a loose concept, and I’m going to give everything and make sure I contribute. I can hardly wait to get started here at Rapid!"

(gw)