SKY Blues boss Tony Mowbray believes Bulgarian international Vladimir Gadshev will provide his young side with much-needed experience after joining on a free transfer.
The 28-year-old midfielder has moved to the Ricoh Arena on a deal until the end of the 2016/17 season, although the League One club do have an option to extend that until the following year should they wish.
Gadshev, who has made 25 caps for his country, began his career at Greek giants Panathinaikos and enjoyed loan spells with Levadiakos and OFI Crete.
In 2008, he moved back to his native Bulgaria on loan to Levski Sofia before making the deal permanent in 2009 and went on to score 25 goals in 186 appearances, while also obtaining Champions League and Europa League experience, before leaving in December.
“We’re delighted to welcome Vladimir to the club and I’m looking forward to working with him,” said Mowbray.
“Vladimir joined the club on a two-week trial and we’ve been really impressed with what we’ve seen from him. It’s obvious to me that he has a lot of technical quality with the ball and I can only see that benefiting the team in the future.
“Looking over his career, he has vast experience in the Greek and Bulgarian top flight and he’s an experienced international so he has plenty of pedigree which is a valuable asset to any club.
“Whilst he’s available for the rest of this season, it’s important that we make sure Vladimir settles into the club and into the squad as we continue to build a squad for the future.”
Another player who impressed during a recent trial and had been offered a two-year deal is attacking midfielder Bilal Sayoud.
The 18-year-old has joinded from the Nike Academy based at St George’s Park where he has been an apprentice for the past two years and he played against the likes of Inter Milan, Roma and Barcelona.
The London-born midfielder joined the Sky Blues on trial and came on in the Under-21s’ games against Bolton Wanderers and Bristol City, and claimed an impressive assist for Bassala Sambou’s goal in the 4-0 win over the Robins.
“Bilal joined the club on trial a few weeks back and has impressed during his short time at the club,” Mowbray added.
“Bilal has plenty of impressive attributes at such a young age and I believe we can help him fulfil his potential over the course of his time with the club.
“It is another deal which we’ve done with one eye on the future with this being his first professional contract and I’m looking to forward to working with him in the future.”
