Niche Cache. Tzanev to have GK competition at Newport.
It was announced two weeks ago (read about that here) but now that June has faded into July, it can be made official: Nik Tzanev has joined Newport County. He’s linked up with the English fourth tier club (which is actually based in Wales) with the intention of being their starting goalkeeper and potentially earning a spot in the All Whites squad for the World Cup, having recently gotten back into the mix for their tour of Canada.
It was announced two weeks ago (read about that here) but now that June has faded into July, it can be made official: Nik Tzanev has joined Newport County. He’s linked up with the English fourth tier club (which is actually based in Wales) with the intention of being their starting goalkeeper and potentially earning a spot in the All Whites squad for the World Cup, having recently gotten back into the mix for their tour of Canada.
Nik Tzanev: “I’m really excited to get going. Now I’m in with the lads and the coaches, I just want to crack on, kick-start pre-season, and make sure we begin the season really strong. Everything we’ve discussed is positive. We want to play attacking football but also be hard to beat. We want to run teams over, keep clean sheets, and stay compact as a unit. It’s a big focus this season to be solid defensively and limit the goals we concede. Personally, it’s about building strong relationships with the back line and keeping as many clean sheets as possible. It’s not just about the defence, and we’ve got to work together as a team. I’m really looking forward to it. The fans have a reputation for being passionate and I always try to build that connection with them early on. They’re there every week for us – we want to repay them with strong performances.”
Newport County have also signed 26yo goalie Jordan Wright who played 37 times for Grimsby Town last season before they kicked him to the curb. He’ll be Tzanev’s competition for the gloves. The Exiles, as they’re known, have made six new signings so far with one of those being centre-back Lee Jenkins who previously played alongside NZ’s Zac Jones at Haverfordwest County in the Welsh top flight. No word on what Jones is up to since he left that club but with The New Saints having signed another keeper and already having gotten into preseason it’s looking like that rumour may have been a bit presumptuous.