Simo Valakari hands Bozo Mikulic chance for reunion at St Johnstone as he bids to win Perth transfer

The towering defender has previously worked with the new McDiarmid park gaffer at Auda in Latvia

New St Johnstone boss Simo Valakari is running the rule over Bozo Mikulic.

The towering Croatian defender has previously worked with Valakari at Auda in Latvia. The 27-year-old is a free agent. He is expected to play in a bounce game against Hibs this week. Valakari is looking to strengthen his defensive options ahead of the January window. Mikulic left Albanian side Partizani Tirana earlier this year. He came through the youth ranks at RNK Split and Sampdoria.

Mikulic came back to kick-off his senior career with RNK Split. He moved to Italian side Sampdoria and returned to Croatia for spells with Hajduk Split and Slaven Belupo. Mikulic returned to Italy with ACR Messina and then played under Valakari at Auda in the Latvian top-flight in the 2022-23 season. Valakari took up the Saints post earlier this month.

He watched the recent Rangers game from the stand and will take the team for the first time when they entertain Ross County at home a week on Saturday. Valakari assessed his squad before he made the move from Riga FC. He has the budget to bring in free agents if he feels they would add to his squad before the transfer window opens in January.

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