TS Galaxy striker Samir Nurkovic admits he considered retiring after his career came to a standstill after leaving Kaizer Chiefs.
The towering Serbian was once the fan favourite of Amakhosi but injuries curtailed his progress at Naturena before he was eventually released.
A controversial move, or rather exit, in an ill-fated stint at Royal AM appears to be still within the boardroom over his owed R12-million settlement further compounded his frustration as he was unable to get back onto the field of play.
Training stints at Cape Town City and Raja Atheltic Club yielded no contract offers as doubts were raised about his previously injured knee and overall fitness with more than a year out of competitive football, but Galaxy came calling and offered him a career lifeline.
“Honestly? I was thinking about it. Because after that Royal AM case, things were difficult, that FIFA case was beyond my control,” Nurkovic told iDiski Times in an exclusive interview in edition 129.
“It caused a bit of a problem of me not playing – but on the other hand, I’m only 31 years old, I mean it’s the time where it’s the best for players. And I think the important thing was that I didn’t stop working.
“I was always trying [to get back into the game]. I worked individually, putting in some hard work off the field and preparing myself for this opportunity that came now with TS Galaxy – and I’m just really happy, as I said, to be back!”
Nurkovic opened his account for Galaxy last month with a Goal of the Season contender as he smashed in a stunner from range in their 2-0 win over Sekhukhune United.
You can read Nurkovic’s full exclusive interview for free on the iDiski Times website.
