Watch: Coric dreams of helping Spartans make European history and win more titles

Ħamrun Spartans new signing Ante Coric is determined to help Ħamrun Spartans secure an historic qualification to the League Phase of a European competition as the Croatian forward was presented to the Maltese media.

The 28-year-old attacking midfielder joined the Spartans last week and is looking forward to making his debut in Tuesday’s UEFA Europa League clash against Maccabi Tel Aviv at the Tony Bezzina Stadium.

“It’s been three days since I started my preparations for the team, and I feel really happy,” Coric said.

“We know we have a very tough match coming up against a very good team that boasts some big players. But we are also a good club and a big team in Malta. We are focused on the match and are determined to show all our quality on the pitch and give our best and let the better team win.”

Coric has played with some high-profile teams in his career, namely Dinamo Zagreb, with whom he has 139 appearances, as well as Serie A side Roma.

Asked why he chose Ħamrun Spartans, Coric said: “It’s true I played with some big teams, but the reason I chose to come to Malta is because Ħamrun Spartans really showed that they really wanted me to join them and would allow me to play regularly with them.

“In the last two years, I struggled to play regularly in the Croatian league. Last season I was with Varisin but I didn’t play much because of some changes in the club’s administration.

“But now I am happy to be here at Ħamrun, who are managed by very good people who trust me a lot and I want to repay their faith in me.

“Ħamrun Spartans is a big club and my main goal is to help them become the first Maltese team to qualify to the League Phase of a UEFA competition, which is something no Maltese team has done so far. That would be a major milestone in my career and something that I can talk to my kids about.”  

 Coric said that he is looking forward to bringing success to Ħamrun Spartans.

“I have settled very well with my team-mates, and the fact that I knew some of them for two years, that helped me a lot.

“My main goal this year is to help Ħamrun Spartans win the league title again and play in European football next summer.”