Khimki adds center Ratko Varda

BC Khimki announced the addition of former ULEB Cup winner Ratko Varda for the remainder of the season on Monday. Varda (213, 29) will help offset the absence of injured center Maciej Lampe. Varda started the season with Zalgiris Kaunas, but only played in two Euroleague games before leaving on mutual agreement. Last year Varda played for ViveMenorca of the Spanish League, where last season he played 29 games averaging 8.6 points and 3.8 rebounds. Varda made his debut with Partizan Belgrade in 1998 and in 2001 he crossed the pond to join the Detroit Pistons of the NBA. He was traded to the Washington Wizards and was back to Europe for the 2002-03 season with Union Olimpija Ljubljana, where he helped win the Slovenian Cup. After that he played in Greece (Apollon Patras), Turkey (Besiktas JK), Ukraine (BC Kyiv) and Spain in 2006-07 with Real Madrid, with whom he won the Spanish League title and the ULEB Cup.

"It is difficult to find a strong player in such a short period of time," general manager Victor Bychkov said. "I think Varda is an excellent choice for help our team in Lampe’s absence. The doctors said that Maciej would be ready in about six weeks. During this period of time we have many difficult matches, including the Eurocup Last 16. Ratko is very experienced player with the spirit of a winner."