Allen Ozbolt is one of the new faces on Apollon’s offensive line ahead of the 2026–2027 season.
The experienced Slovenian forward speaks to apollon.com.cy about what brought him to Limassol, the coach’s philosophy that convinced him to say “yes,” and the goals he has set for himself while wearing the blue-and-white jersey.
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He also revealed that he had offers from Greece, Cyprus, and teams outside Europe, but his decision to join the Limassol club was not a difficult one.
Welcome to Apollon. How do you feel about your transfer?
First of all, I’d like to thank the people at Apollon for the opportunity and the trust they’ve placed in me. Also, I’ve heard many positive things about the club from friends of mine who know the team very well. We’ve been in contact with Apollon for the past two months, and from the very beginning, I was eager to come here. I spoke with Vukasin Jovanović and Ivan Ljubić, who told me wonderful things about the club and about Cyprus. Having lived in Greece for several years, I knew that the mindset and daily life here are quite similar to what I was used to. From the very first moment, I felt that Apollon was the team where I wanted to continue my career.
What were the first questions you asked Ivan and Vukasin?
I was mostly interested in learning about the team. I asked about the quality of the squad, the conditions at the club, and, more generally, what daily life is like on the team. Everything I heard was very positive, and that made my decision even easier.
When Apollon showed interest, what was your first thought?
It was an easy decision for me. My first meeting was with the coach, and when he presented his ideas and philosophy to me, it wasn’t hard to decide.
What was it about his philosophy that won you over?
He wants the team to control possession and play an attacking, entertaining style of soccer. I’m a forward who moves around a lot on the field, not a classic target man. For me, it’s important to play for a team that plays this way, and I believe this philosophy suits my style of play.
Did you have any other offers?
Yes, there were quite a few offers from Greece, Cyprus, and even outside Europe. Nevertheless, my decision to join Apollon wasn’t a difficult one.
What are your goals with the team?
I know that Apollon won the league title three years ago and that this season they were in contention for the Cup until the very end, and performed very well in the second half of the league season. I believe Apollon is a team big and strong enough to return to the top. In my career, I’ve won two league titles and four cups, and I’d like to celebrate another title with this team.
What do you think a team needs to become a champion?
I believe that stability plays a very important role. It’s not good to have ten players leaving every year. You have to create a great atmosphere in the locker room and foster a connection between the players, the coaching staff, and the fans. Everyone has to be moving in the same direction, working as one. And of course, it takes a lot of hard work.
Did you follow Apollon before you came here?
I wasn’t able to watch the Cypriot league games regularly while I was in Greece, but I kept track of the results and the team’s progress. Ivan Ljubic has been a friend of mine for ten years, so I followed Apollon’s progress, looked at the stats, the top scorers, and highlights from the matches. I also saw that the stadium is excellent, and I believe it’s up to us to give the fans reasons to fill the stadium and cheer on the team.
What are your first impressions of the locker rooms and the training center?
The facilities are excellent, and that’s very important. At this stage of my career, the details play a very important role. The gym, the recovery facilities, breakfast, and everything an athlete needs on a daily basis are all important factors. My first impressions are very positive, and I believe that as long as we keep getting good results, everything surrounding the team will only get better.
What is your message to the Apollon fans?
I can’t wait to play in front of them and experience the atmosphere they create. I promise to give my best every day so that we can make them happy and, by the end of the season, achieve something significant together.
