Flashback Viktor was not so victorious at Saints
The arrival of Eastern European players is nothing new, but it remains a novelty in these parts.
Romanian defender Mihai Popescu arrived late last week from Dinamo Bucharest, sparking memories of big Bulgarian centre back Viktor Genev.
The 26-year-old defender had been on trial at the Paisley club in 2015 and had done enough to convince Buddies boss Gary Teale to hand him a contract until the end of the season.
And Genev went straight into the squad for the following Saturday’s clash at home to Hamilton Accies.
Teale told Express Sports: “Viktor is a winner and someone who can help us in both penalty boxes.
“He has played at a good level and, hopefully, he’ll give us added
Short stay
St Mirren FC is a club with a proud tradition — and a history to match.
They have been at the centre of the Scottish game since their formation in 1877.
Today, we look back at the brief spell Viktor Genev spent with the Buddies .
presence at the back.
“We’re hoping he can come in and complement what we’ve already got at the club.”
Genev kicked off his career with hometown club Levski Sofia, spending three years there.
In 2009, he helped the club win the Bulgarian championship.
His form was also impressive enough to earn him international recognition for Bulgaria at Under-21 level.
Genev spent a year at Spartak Semey, who play in the Kazakhstan Premier League, prior to signing for the Buddies.
He became the sixth player to join Saints since Teale took over as gaffer in December, with Yoann Arquin, James Dayton, Emmanuel Sonupe, Kieran Sadlier and Alan Gow already recruited.
Ultimately, the new recruits were unable to beat the drop despite battling tooth and nail to avoid the trap door to the Championship.
Big Genev didn’t exactly help matters, with an injury against Accies and a red card against Ross County meaning he didn’t exactly set the heather alight.
He was amongst a host of players to be released at the end of that season and has since pitched up at a variety of clubs... and countries.
Romania was next with Petrolui Ploiesti, then Belarus at Dinamo Minsk before heading back to Bulgaria with Levski Sofia.
Botev Plodiv and a spell in Israel at Ashdod added the extra Airmiles, but he is again back in his homeland with Cherno More Varna.