Russian outfit Anzhi Makhachkala have handed Ethiopian international Gatoch Panom a trial as Soccer Ethiopia learnt. The Ethiopia Bunna midfielder is hoping to win a deal with Anzi as he eyes a move abroad.
Gatoch, 23, will join Anzhi this week at their preseason base in Russia after an invitation later was sent out to the player and his agent David Beshah. David told Soccer Ethiopia Anzi officials are impressed with Gatoch’s display. “They already liked him. He will have a medical and also train with the 1st team until Sunday. Then we will see how the transfer goes,” said David, who happened to be Gatoch’s former teammate at Bunna.
David further noted his client yet to agree any terms with Anzhi. “The move is not confirmed yet. We only organized a trial for now. He will jet to Russia on Tuesday so we will come to some decision after Sunday.”
Gatoch only signed a contract extension at Bunna on April following speculations that he will be leaving the Addis Ababa side. Anzhi elapsed the now ended Russian Premier League also known as Rosgosstrah RFPL 12th with 30 points, 39 points shy of title winners FK Spartak Moskva. They used to be a major Russian football powerhouse between 2011 and 2013 when Russian billionaire Suleyman Kerimov bought all the stake of the club in 2011.
Kerimov’s investment at the club saw the purchase of Samuel Eto’o, Roberto Carols, Mbark Boussoufa, Yuri Zhirkov, Christopher Samba and Lassina Traore. Nonetheless, in August 2013 Kerimov decided to reduce the team’s annual budget by two-thirds, inducing the major acquisitions and high profile signings to leave the club.
Anzhi Makhachkala, established in 1991, is based in the city of Makhachkala. The club twice won the second division title in 1999 and 2009. They have also won participation in Europa League in 2012/13 and 2013/14 season.
