Jeonnam Dragons sign Aussie-born defender

SEOUL, June 28 (Yonhap) -- South Korean football club Jeonnam Dragons said Tuesday they are set to sign defender Tomislav Mrcela from Croatian club NK Lokomotiva Zagreb.

Jeonnam, currently 10th in the top-flight K League Classic, said that the 25-year-old center back, who holds dual citizenship in Australia and Croatia, will join the club after a medical test. Jeonnam, three-time champions of the Korean Football Association (FA) Cup, have yet to disclose the details of his contract.

Mrcela made his pro debut in 2011 with NK Imostki. He has five goals in 103 matches at the Croatian pro league. Jeonnam expect Mrcela to boost their defense with his 195-centimeter height.

Mrcela was named to the Australian under-23 squad in 2014 and to the senior team the following year, but has yet to play a match for the Socceroos.

Jeonnam said Mrcela will fill their "Asian quota" of the squad. In the K League, teams are allowed to have three foreigners, in addition to one player from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) member countries, which is also known as the Asian quota.

Jeonnam currently have two Croatian footballers -- midfielders Vedran Jugovic and Mislav Orsic -- and Macedonian striker Stevica Ristic who is rumored to be on his way out.

kdon@yna.co.kr
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