By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Crvena Zvezda mts has inked German center Maik Zirbes to a contract until the end 0f the 2021 calendar year with an option for the remainder of the 2021-22 season, the team announced Wednesday.
“I really feel honored to be part of this club again,” said the returning player, per the press release, “Crvena Zvezda is my team. There are a lot of guys here who are part of this family and are also my family. Now, all that is left for me is to work hard and regain that trust.”
The Serbian powerhouse based in Belgrade was in search of a center to start the 2021-22 editions of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and ABA League. The dive into the market resulted in the addition of Zirbes. He was actually part of the training camp joint practices for the last couple of weeks.
Zirbes, 31, last played for Crvena Zvezda in 2018-19. His first stint stretched two seasons from 2014-15 to 2015-16. He was crowned ABA champion in all three seasons and also captured the Serbian League championships of 2015 and 2016.
Other teams during his career include Cedevita Olimpija, FC Bayern Munich, Maccabi Tel Aviv, and Brose Bamberg. He is coming off a run at Shabab Al Ahli located in Dubai.
Austin Hollins, Nate Wolters, Nikola Kalinic, Stefan Lazarevic, Nikola Ivanovic, Luka Mitrovic, and Aaron White, who is sidelined due to injury, were also added this offseason. Returning players for the team coached by Dejan Radonjic are Aleksa Uskokovic, Dejan Davidovac, Branko Lazic, Ognjen Dobric, Marko Simonovic, and Ognjen Kuzmic.