Damir Čakar

Damir Čakar (Cyrillic: Дамир Чакар; born 28 June 1973) is a Montenegrin former professional footballer who played as either a striker or an attacking midfielder. He is mostly known for his powerful shots and set pieces.[1]

Damir Čakar
Personal information
Full name Damir Čakar
Date of birth (1973-06-28) 28 June 1973
Place of birth Pljevlja, SFR Yugoslavia
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Attacking midfielder / Striker
Youth career
Rudar Pljevlja
1988–1991 Budućnost Titograd
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1991–1992 Budućnost Titograd 2 (0)
1992–1993 Rudar Pljevlja 30 (17)
1993–1994 Borac Čačak 15 (11)
1995–1997 Partizan 78 (44)
1997–1999 Châteauroux 29 (3)
1999–2000 Sartid Smederevo 7 (0)
2000–2001 Sutjeska Nikšić 23 (19)
2001–2005 Partizan 66 (20)
2005 → Rudar Pljevlja (loan) 16 (6)
2005–2007 Rudar Pljevlja 61 (37)
2007–2008 Mogren 14 (0)
Total 341 (157)
National team
1995–2001 FR Yugoslavia 3 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

Čakar started out at his local club Rudar Pljevlja, before joining Budućnost Titograd, aged 15. He made his senior debut for the side in the final 1991–92 edition of the Yugoslav First League. Afterwards, Čakar returned to Rudar Pljevlja for the 1992–93 Second League of FR Yugoslavia, helping them win promotion to the First League of FR Yugoslavia. He subsequently moved to Borac Čačak, spending the following year and a half at the club.

In the 1995 winter transfer window, Čakar was transferred to Partizan. He was the team's top scorer in 1995–96 and 1996–97, helping them win back-to-back championships. In the summer of 1997, Čakar was sold to French side Châteauroux. He scored three league goals in his debut season at the club, as they suffered relegation from the top flight. In the following 1998–99 campaign, Čakar appeared in only five league games, before eventually leaving Châteauroux.

After two years abroad, Čakar returned to FR Yugoslavia and joined ambitious Sartid Smederevo. He however failed to make an impact there due to an injury,[2] before terminating his contract by mutual agreement with the club's chairman. Subsequently, Čakar signed with Sutjeska Nikšić. He scored 19 league goals in 23 appearances in the 2000–01 First League of FR Yugoslavia, securing him a return to his former club Partizan.[3] In the following two seasons, Čakar added two more championship titles to his collection. He also helped Partizan reach the UEFA Champions League group stage in the 2003–04 campaign. In February 2005, Čakar was loaned to his parent club Rudar Pljevlja.[4]

In the summer of 2005, Čakar extended his contract with Rudar Pljevlja, helping the side win the Montenegrin Cup in its first edition. He subsequently moved to fellow Montenegrin First League club Mogren, winning his second national cup,[5] before eventually retiring from the game.

International career

At international level, Čakar earned three caps for FR Yugoslavia. He made his national team debut on 31 March 1995, coming on as a substitute for Dejan Stefanović in a 1–0 friendly win over Uruguay. Six years later, Čakar received a call-up to the squad for the 2001 Kirin Cup.[6] His final international was during that tournament in July 2001 against hosts Japan.[7]

Post-playing career

In October 2015, Čakar was hired as a scout for Partizan under the newly appointed sporting director Ivica Iliev.[8]

Personal life

Born in Pljevlja, Čakar grew up in a footballing family. His father, Rasim, and his uncle, Safet, both played for Rudar Pljevlja. They are considered among the greatest players in the club's history.[9][10]

Honours

Club
Partizan
Rudar Pljevlja
Mogren

Individual

References
  1. "VREMEPLOV: Čovek sa dinamitom u nogama, skoro svaki gol mu je bio za TV špice (VIDEO)" (in Serbian). hotsport.rs. 30 October 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  2. "Za Čakara sezona završena!" (in Serbian). glas-javnosti.rs. 31 March 2000. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  3. "Čakar opet u Partizanu!" (in Serbian). glas-javnosti.rs. 6 July 2001. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  4. "Damir Čakar u Rudaru iz Pljevalja" (in Serbian). partizan.rs. 8 February 2005. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  5. "Mogren osvojio Kup Crne Gore" (in Montenegrin). rtvbudva.me. 7 May 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  6. "Juriš na Čilaverta" (in Serbian). glas-javnosti.rs. 26 June 2001. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  7. "Player Database". eu-football.info. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  8. "ZVANIČNO Iliev novi sportski direktor Partizana, Čakar i Pantić skauti" (in Serbian). blic.rs. 27 October 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  9. "Pola vijeka od osvajanja prve titule prvaka Crne Gore" (in Montenegrin). pvportal.me. 14 June 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  10. "Šest decenija sa imenom Rudara" (in Montenegrin). pvportal.me. 22 June 2015. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
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