London City Has Signed Buzali to a One Year Contract

March 18, 2010 -
Morris Dalla Costa -
The London Free Press -

London City continues to round out their roster for the 2010 Canadian Soccer League season.

Their latest signing is Genti Buzali, one of the most prolific goal scorers in the Western Ontario Soccer League in recent years including winning the scoring title three times in the last six years.

Buzali has played with London City occasionally, including a game last year when his London Croatia team could spare him. Earlier in his WOSL career, he played with London White Eagles.

The 31-year-old has been near the top of the Premier League scoring table over the past five years. He's also had stints with other CSL clubs.

Buzali will join former FC London striker Kevin Zimmerman and the hope for City is that they can provide some much-needed scoring power.

Buzali could easily have continued in the WOSL but felt he wanted to challenge himself.

"I've played with London City since I've come to this country," Buzali said. "I like the system under London City and I like the league. I really like the league. It's a lot more challenging.

"There is only so much you can get out of Premier and it's time I stepped up."

Buzali says he hopes the struggles at London City of recent years are over.

"I hope it's going in a different direction. I know they had issues. I like the people that are in charge then and now," he said. "And I need to play a tribute to someone else."

That someone else is Harry Gauss who passed away with brain cancer last year.

"It's one of the best leagues you can play in. It depends on how committed you are to it," he said. "I'm committed. I was brought up to take a challenge and try to make the best of it."

City general manager Ryan Gauss was in Mexico and while there, took the opportunity to officially sign Zimmerman.

The signing made news in Cancun, Zimmerman's hometown. A picture appeared on the front page of the newspaper El Deportivo Diario talking about the "historic" signing, the first player who is a native of Cancun signing a contract with a professional team in Canada. It was accompanied by a story on the inside pages.

Zimmerman was the leading goal scorer for FC London.

City also released its 2010 CSL schedule. They'll play 12 home games with their opening on May 28 against TFC Academy.