Jakub Vojtus: All you need to know about the new Mumbai City FC signing
The Slovakian forward will be eager to leverage his wealth of experience and contribute to his new club.
Mumbai City FC find themselves at a pivotal moment in the league, with only three matchweeks left to determine the League Shield winner.
The Islanders currently lead the race to defend the Shield but face a daunting challenge from second-placed Mohun Bagan Super Giant, who trail by just two points with a game in hand.
The Islanders wasted no time in securing a replacement for their Spanish forward, Iker Guarrotxena, who has been sidelined for the season due to a knee injury.
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— Mumbai City FC (@MumbaiCityFC) March 21, 2024
Jakub Vojtuš is an Islander 🤩#WelcomeJakub #MumbaiCity #AamchiCity 🔵 pic.twitter.com/PuRNmu9hEj
Earlier this week, Mumbai City FC swiftly reached an agreement with Slovakian forward Jakub Vojtuš for a short-term deal until the end of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 season, finalizing the deal on Thursday.
Vojtuš brings with him a wealth of experience garnered from various European clubs, and he is eager to translate that experience into success in the ISL. As he arrives at this crucial juncture of the season, the Islanders will be banking on him to make an immediate impact, much like Guarrotxena. But what exactly the fans can anticipate from their new signing?
Where does he fit in the squad?
Vojtuš has the versatility to function either as a lone striker in the traditional number 9 role or as a second striker. Under Petr Kratky's management, both Jorge Pereyra Diaz and Guarrotxena were not confined to the typical box striker position; instead, they frequently dropped deep to assist in building attacks, aiding the midfield, and creating space for wingers such as Bipin Singh, Vikram Partap, or Lallianzuala Chhangte to exploit the flanks.
The Slovakian player could adopt a similar role or even play behind Diaz if Kratky opts to field both foreign strikers to increase goal-scoring opportunities. Moreover, Vojtuš possesses the capability to operate effectively on the right wing and interchange positions with other attackers. This is precisely the dynamic strategy that the front three of Mumbai City FC employ during matches.
Experienced campaigner
Vojtuš embarked on his footballing journey with his native club MSK Zilina before drawing the attention of Italian powerhouse Inter Milan, where he initially joined the youth setup before transitioning to their U19 squad. Following his time with Inter Milan, he spent two seasons with the U19 teams of both Inter Milan and Chievo Verona.
His senior career kicked off with Croatian outfit NK Zagreb before venturing across various clubs in Europe, notably in Romania and Poland. He rejoined his boyhood club MSK Zilina during the 2009/10 season when they clinched the Slovakian Championship.
In the 2020-21 season, Vojtuš made seven appearances for CFR Cluj, contributing to their triumph in the Romanian Championship. His most recent stint was with the Romanian side ACSM Politehnica Iasi, where he played a pivotal role in securing the Romanian 2nd division championship during the 2022-23 season. He has also represented Slovakia at various age levels.
