Dons keeper Tzanev on debt he owes coach after signing new three-year contract

AFC Wimbledon goalkeeper Nik Tzanev has expressed his joy at signings a new three-year contract.

The 24-year-old has made 31 appearances since making his debut in August 2019.

The New Zealand international established himself as first choice in March this year after Mark Robinson took over as boss.

Tzanev said: “It’s just amazing what is happening now with the club being back at Plough Lane. I thought it was only the right decision to sign a new deal and to continue being a part of the greatest story in English football: to potentially take us to the next level by progressing everywhere that we play.

“It means the world to me having the number one shirt. It’s just amazing playing in front of all the fans at Plough Lane. To follow in the footsteps of all the great goalkeepers that have been at this club is a real honour, and I want to leave a mark of my own in the time that I’m here. I feel that I’m progressing as well, maturing more and becoming more of a leader in the team.

“After I left Brentford I was given the opportunity just to train here in the first place, and I have to thank Bayzo [goalkeeping coach Ashley Bayes] a lot for that. He gave me a chance, and I think I applied myself quite well. I had to bide my time to get into the first-team.

“I value Bayzo’s opinion pretty much more than anyone, along with the gaffer, and I think it’s always good to get their views after games. We have a laugh as well, talk about what we’ve done at the weekend, so it’s not just a professional relationship. It’s a mutual friend relationship, and Bayzo has helped me so much on and off the pitch.”

Boss Mark Robinson said: “I just felt it was time to give him that opportunity, and he has been absolutely fantastic – even beyond my expectations. The goalkeepers we’ve continually produced is no fluke, it doesn’t just happen. It happens for a reason and Bayzo is a massive part of that.”

Bayes said: “I knew his previous agent, and he asked me if we would take him in just to train with us when we were in the process of selling Joe Bursik. I quite liked him, and it sort of just went on from there. He’s still learning, but he’s prepared to put the hard work in.

“He’s in a rhythm, he has good momentum. He’s a braver keeper now. It’s okay being able to do it in training, but when it comes to games it’s down to mentality.

“The strengths in his game include the distribution with the way that we play, his game understanding, and coming for crosses. Probably his mentality has been the biggest improvement that I’ve noticed.”