Winter Preparation Gets Underway at FC Lokomotíva Košice
Winter preparation for the spring part of the 2025/26 season officially began on Monday, 12 January, at the Užhorodská training ground. The opening session marked the start of a new phase for FC Lokomotíva Košice, with several new faces, the return of players from the autumn campaign, and the first training led by head coach Martin Juhar.
Opening of Preparation and Club Leadership
Before the session began, the players were addressed in the dressing room by General Manager Ing. Július Rezeš, who welcomed the new arrivals and outlined the framework of the winter preparation period. The training was then led by Martin Juhar, officially entrusted with guiding the team through the spring part of the season.
The first session focused primarily on football-related elements. Physical conditioning will be gradually increased in the following training units.
First Week of Winter Preparation – Schedule
The programme for the opening week of preparation is as follows:
- Monday, 12 January 2026 – welcome meeting and first training session (Užhorodská pitch)
- Tuesday, 13 January 2026 – second training session (sports hall in case of bad weather)
- Wednesday, 14 January 2026 – plyometric training and spirometry testing under specialist supervision (House of Athletics)
- Thursday, 15 January 2026 – rest day
- Friday, 16 January 2026 – training session
- Saturday, 17 January 2026 – training session
Squad Changes Ahead of the Spring Season
Even before the start of preparation, it was confirmed that six players will not feature in the spring part of the season:
- Marcus Terezka
- Matias Neuwirth
- Dmytro Bohdan
- Berti Brandon Diau
- Vladyslav Kravets
- Samuel Kiš
Following the first training session, three further departures were confirmed:
- Kamil Pavlenko – the club was interested in continuing the cooperation, however due to school commitments and the time demands of the training process, it was mutually agreed that the player will look for a new club
- Ogi Jankelić – the player left for a trial at MFK Dukla Banská Bystrica without informing the club; Lokomotíva has therefore withdrawn its interest
- Ľubomír Ivanko Macej – despite strong interest from the club, the player’s current priorities are family and work commitments
Players with Uncertain Status
The following players were absent from the first training session, but remain of interest to the club or their situation is still being resolved:
- Ayomide Akiode – expected to arrive in the coming days
- Manasse Kianga – continuation with the club remains under discussion
New Players at the First Training Session
A total of 13 new players took part in the opening session. Prior to the start of preparation, General Manager Július Rezeš commented:
“We have a group of experienced players, a group of players with potential we want to see develop, and a group of young players who can feature at U19 level.”
New players in training:
- Erik Pačinda – midfielder, 36
- Dominik Veselý – defender, 20
- Ervín Matta – defender, 25
- Peter Kolesár – midfielder, 27
- Matej Drábik – goalkeeper, 25
- Kristián Štovka – defender, 20
- Jakub Beliš – forward, 20
- Ľubomír Puzder – 19
- Nikolaj Čuchta – forward, 21
- Šimon Kovaľ – 19
- Adam Bučko – 18
- Alex Šefčík – 18
- Jakub Janočko – 21
Due to illness or travel issues, the following players were absent but will join the squad as soon as possible:
- Frederik Valach – goalkeeper, 26
- Leonardo Welliton Bellem Da Silva – defender, 29
Current Squad in Winter Preparation (25 players)
Frederik Valach, Matej Drábik, Erik Pačinda, Ervín Matta, Peter Kolesár, Dominik Veselý, Sebastián Čorňák, Lukáš Petrík, Matúš Katunský, Simeon Kovalčík, Nikolaj Čuchta, Kristián Štovka, Adam Bučko, Adam Müller, Sebastián Veselý, Oskar Reštei, Nazar Popovych, Noel Rebej, Jakub Beliš, Šimon Kovaľ, Ľubomír Puzder, Jakub Janočko, Alex Šefčík, Ayomide Akiode, Leonardo Welliton Bellem Da Silva.
Coaching & Support Staff
- Ing. Július Rezeš – General Manager
- Martin Juhar – Head Coach
- Peter Lipták – Assistant Coach
- Michal Dlugoš – Goalkeeper Coach
- Karol Orban, Martin Moroz – Physiotherapists
Head Coach’s View
“Today we started a preparation period that has been planned in great detail, including five friendly matches. At the moment we have 25 players. Preparation is a living process and changes will certainly occur — whether arrivals, departures, illnesses or injuries. The key is that everything is well managed and that we progress together, both sporting-wise and professionally.”
Martin Juhar, Head Coach
