Vuckic Makes His Choice - It's Slovenia!

Last updated : 10 May 2011 By Footy Mad - Editor

Alan Pardew: “I have only seen Haris once, in the Chelsea game in the Carling Cup.

“I was there as a professional at the game and I was impressed with him. I made a note of him because I had never heard his name before.

“He stood out to that night, but unfortunately since I’ve been here he hasn’t kicked a ball because of his injury. He’s highly regarded here, particularly in the development squad by Peter Beardsley and Willie Donachie.

“He’s somebody I’m looking forward to working with."

Haris Vuckic: “The Premier League is a big jump for anyone my age. I have progressed from Academy to reserves and I want to go higher, but maybe it is better to take another smaller step. I don’t know.

“I will talk with the manager and it will be up to him to decide what we do.

“My family went from Bosnia to Slovenia during the war period.

“They went to Slovenia before the war started – Bosnia was quite poor, things were not great there so they wanted a better life and went to Slovenia. Me and my brother were both born there.

“I was born in Slovenia, grew up in Slovenia and was educated in Slovenia. Slovenia gave me everything.

“I remembered this. The Bosnian FA called me to try and persuade me to play for them, but it is disrespectful to chose to play for them over Slovenia.

“The country has given me everything in the world, so I have to pick them.”