In a move that had been rumoured over the past several weeks, Swedish Premier League side Örebro SK announced today that it has signed Canadian Goalkeeper Tomer Chencinski through the 2013 season for an undisclosed transfer fee. The 27 year old Chencinski makes the move to Sweden following a standout 2011 season with Vaasan Palloseura (VPS) in which he earned the Finnish club’s Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player Awards and finished the season 3rd in the league in Goals Against Average, giving up only 34 goals (4 from penalty kicks) in 28 matches.
Similar to his signing last year with VPS, Checinski is expected to compete with Örebro SK’s other recent GK signing, Jonas Sandqvist, for the #1 position to begin the 2012 season.
In a translated statement, Örebro SK’s Sporting Director Lennart Sjögren stated that “Tomer has been here for sample games and did very well. It is a modern goalkeeper who is good with his feet and very variable in their game. We have two good goalies now with Jonas Sandqvist and Tomer Chencinski. Tomer is a good character player with a good attitude. I think he will work well in this group.”
As for Chencinski himself, he characterizes his quick rise in Europe as something that has come about due to his dedication to hard work.
“The main factor is 'hard work pays off'. I have been working so hard in order to just get better and to be the best that I can. The only way I can achieve that is by working hard. If I am resting and taking a training or game off, then someone else will take my job. I want to prove that I can play anywhere, and if I put in the work and concentration, I will be in the right mindset to do anything,” says Chencinski.
With the excitement of a transfer to a highly competitive club and league in Europe, Chencinski does also admit that the move is bittersweet due to the fact that he is moving on from a club that has treated him so well. In addition to quickly establishing himself as a key player with the Veikkausliiga side, the keeper was also a VPS fan favorite, and he developed many relationships within and outside the club while in Vaasa.
“I will never forget my time at VPS. I built friendships on and off the pitch that will last a lifetime. The fans love the team so much, and they showed me so much love, so I will be forever grateful. They have always been so supportive from day one. The organization from the top down have always been behind me and provided me a platform to showcase my talents. I will definitely miss the city, my teammates, the amazing fans and the entire organization. There is only one Seksy Vepsu, and I am a fan for life," says Chencinski.
Chencinski has previously played for Moldovan side FC Nistrue Otaci, as well as with Toronto FC and indoor soccer side the Detroit Ignition. In an interview conducted with RedNation last month, the 6 foot 3 tall keeper indicated that in addition to continue his climb up the rungs of professional football in Europe, he also aspires to represent Canada at the International level.
With a move to a Scandinavian side that competes at comparable level to leagues that Lars Hirschfeld and Kenny Stamatopoulos play in, Chencinski should now find himself well placed to stake a claim to future call-ups by the Canadian Men’s National Team.
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