Djurgården introduced the extension yesterday.
But Haris Radetinac kept the new contract a secret for a month.
– Only the family knew, he says.
On Sunday, Djurgården announced Haris Radetinac is ready for two more years at the club. However, the extension for the 37-year-old loyal servant has been completed for much longer than that.
– I extended a month ago. It came a little late. They (the club) had so much to do, so many new signings and such, and I was on vacation.
How hard is it to keep it a secret?
– quite difficult. I got so many requests from strangers and close friends so it was hard to keep it a secret, but I managed to do it. It’s stupid to lie if someone asks, but I just said it will be done. It’s good to have everything ready so I can focus on training.
Not even the team players know?
– some knew. Mang (Erickson) was one of them.
“back and forth”
The fact that the new contract is valid for two years was important to Radetinac.
– Before, it was one year at a time, but you want security. You’ve reached an age where you don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow, so it’s good to have security.
No problem getting two years?
Problems and troubles. It was back and forth, but we had great dialogue. I’ve shown over the years that I’m not someone who signs and sits on the bench and just enjoys it. I want to play.
Djurgården held his first team training session after the Christmas break on Monday. Hjalmar Ekdal, Viktor Edvardsen, Elias Andersson, Joel Asuru, Jakob Wedel Zetterström and Rasmus Schüller are all away for national team matches.
Hampus Fendel and Marcus Danielson were also missing and rehabilitating on their own.
– I felt better than I thought. Raditnak, who does not want to mention that this decade is the last, usually hurts the body in the first week, says Raditnak.
– It is very difficult to say what I will do in two years. I don’t know if I’ll be alive tomorrow, but if I feel the way I do now, I’ll keep going. As long as I can contribute to the team, I will be motivated. But if I’m not good enough anymore and I’m not on the team, you can take things and leave.
