MALKY ON ETIEN, SWITZERLAND & MORE
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Malky Mackay spoke on Thursday afternoon following the capture of Slovenian International striker Etien Velikonja.
Foward Etien has Europa League experience with Slovenian Champions NK Maribor, and signs for City on a four year deal.
"We're delighted to be bringing in a player of Etien's quality," said the Gaffer. "He's somebody who I've known about for some time and have been monitoring closely.
"Etien is a strong and quick left-footed striker who plays on the shoulder. He's an international with Europa League experience and although he won't be travelling with us to Switzerland next week, he will link up with shortly after we return."
Following the summer break and on the subject of his staff's return, Malky added: "It's already proven to be a busy summer so far, but we're happy to be back.
"My staff and I have been working hard throughout the summer looking at people we want to bring in ahead of next season, but it feels good to have everyone back out on the training field again.
"At this early stage in July I think we are as happy as we can be with the work we've done. Obviously you'd like to have all your players in for the first day of pre-season training, but that never happens and never will anywhere I wouldn't think! What is pleasing though is that we have solid plans in place and are certainly ahead of where we were at this stage twelve months ago.
"Some of the squad played fifty-seven games last season which goes to show that we do need to strengthen in order to be successful. Some players will leave the Club as well as they need to be playing regular first-team football.
"[Chief Executive] Alan Whiteley and myself speak to TG at least every other day and we are also in very regular contact with Tan Sri Vincent Tan. We look for transparency at this Football Club and work very closely with each other to make sure we achieve what we want to achieve."
And as for the impending pre-season trip to Switzerland this weekend, Malky warned that there would be no time for sight-seeing. He continued: "We're going out to Switzerland in a working capacity and will be training hard twice a day during the time we are out there. Fortunately we have been able to secure ourselves the UEFA training facility just outside Geneva, which will cater for everything we need.
"We worked very hard twelve months ago when we went to Seville, but I feel that a more manageable temperature such as in Geneva will be more conducive to the working environment we will be creating. It's going to be a hard week but one of great benefit to us before we return and prepare for our pre-season matches."
