What’s better than signing one veteran striker? Apparently, trading for another veteran striker the same day.
The Rapids’ organization was beaming Tuesday when it announced the acquisition of Los Angeles Galaxy forward and former European standout Jovan Kirovski the same day it finalized a deal to add Colombian Diego Serna.
“Anytime you have an opportunity to bring players of this caliber, you have to pull the trigger right away,” Rapids coach Fernando Clavijo said.
Kirovski, 29, and Serna, 31, will be available for Saturday’s game at defending Major League Soccer champion D.C. United.
“I’m very excited,” Kirovski said Tuesday by telephone. “I think there is a really solid base (in Colorado). I’m really looking forward to a good run this year.”
Kirovski said he had been increasingly unhappy with his role under new Galaxy coach Steve Sampson, who was using Kir- ovski out on the flanks. Sampson previously coached the U.S. National Team.
“I’ve had problems with him in the past, and it’s difficult to play for someone you don’t respect as a coach,” Kirovski said.
Serna has been training with the team for more than a month, while the deal for Kirovski has been running hot and cold the past month.
Clavijo said Monday he was unsure a deal with the Galaxy could be made before Thursday’s transfer deadline. He had given up on the deal Tuesday morning before general manager Charlie Wright revived it.
The deal cost the Rapids their first-round draft pick in 2007. Wright said Kirovski has an additional two years on his contract.
“I told Charlie I would buy him a bottle of wine,” Clavijo said. “I couldn’t find any champagne.”
Kirovski had 12 goals and six assists in 48 games with the Galaxy, which acquired the California native last year from England’s Birmingham City. Kir- ovski has played with several top clubs in Europe, including Manchester United, Sporting Lisbon and Borussia Dortmond, where in 1997 he became the first American to be on Champions League winning team.
Kirovski has nine goals in 59 games for the U.S. national team, but coach Bruce Arena hasn’t recalled him since 2004.
Serna, a former star in MLS, scored 54 goals and recorded 40 assists in 113 matches for the now-defunct Miami Fusion from 1998 to 2002. He left the league after 2003 under a cloud of injuries and questionable behavior, but Clavijo said he thinks Serna has matured and is ready to contribute in Colorado.
The Rapids have a wealth of strikers with Kirovski, Serna, Jeff Cunningham, Jean Philippe Peguero, Luchi Gonzalez, Fabrice Noel, Wolde Harris and Sasha Gotsmanov.
Kirovski said his ideal position is as a second striker or central attacking midfielder, a position now held by Alain Nkong.
