Who are ya? :: Ruben Zadkovich

Last updated : 15 March 2005 By Richard Brown

Ruben Zadkovich…hardly a name that rolls off the tongue, I think you’ll agree. Nor is he a football super-power, nor likely for a big money move this summer.

However, one theory lingers true to the management style of Ian Richardson, these being the immortal words of one David Brent.

‘Trust people, and they will be true to you. Treat them greatly, and they will show themselves to be great’

Zadkovich: A true wizard of Oz?
Zadkovich, a 19-year old Australian, was named in the Magpies’ second string-side amongst a quartet of trialists that was eventually defeated in Huddersfield.

Whilst his fellow rookies faded into the background of the reserve team’s gaze (if there were such a thing), Ruben Zadkovich the bleach-clad locks of have left a twinkle in the eye of Ian Richardson.

So much so that Richardson has been reported today to have tabled a bid for the young Aussie midfielder.

Zadkovich hails from Australian side, Wollongong Rangers in a country where it is considered particularly difficult to excel as a professional footballer due to the conflicting sporting interests of the nation, making a professional footballer an unusual customer indeed.

Since joining the R’s, the youngster has been a regular amongst the reserve and, in particular, youth outfits at Loftus Road, having made fourteen appearances this season for Rangers’ under-18, helping them to second place in the South-East Conference.

However, after some severe stream-lining, to say the very least, of an already low-profile youth production line it now appears that Ruben will find himself out of the club at the end of the current campaign, after out-growing the club’s under-18 side.

Described in recent reports as a ‘relentless tackler’ and a ‘natural ball-winner’, Ruben is perhaps unlucky to be out-on-his-ear from the club that brought him into the country from the Australian National Soccer League side, Wollongong.

As it stands, the 19-year old’s contract with Rangers expires at the end of the current campaign. However, it is believed that the London club would be willing to let him leave without fee if a contract was offered by another club.

Richardson, currently waiting upon a reply from Ruben’s agent with regards to a contract offer, is naturally searching for his first permanent signing since taking over after agreeing to release Eddie McIntyre and allowing Kris Nurse to leave the club within the last week.

Be sure to check back to NCM for all the latest goings on with regards to transfers over the coming weeks.