Dejan Damjanović
Dejan Damjanović (Serbian Cyrillic: Дејан Дамјановић, pronounced [dějan dǎmjanoʋitɕ, - damjǎː-];[1][2] born 27 July 1981) also known mononymously as Dejan, is a Montenegrin professional footballer who currently plays as a forward for Hong Kong Premier League club Kitchee.
![]() Damjanović while playing for Montenegro in 2012 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Dejan Damjanović | ||
Date of birth | 27 July 1981 | ||
Place of birth | Mostar, SFR Yugoslavia | ||
Height | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
Position(s) | Forward | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | Kitchee | ||
Number | 9 | ||
Youth career | |||
Dinamo Pančevo | |||
Sinđelić Beograd | |||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1998–2000 | Sinđelić Beograd | 21 | (6) |
2000–2003 | Železnik | 13 | (0) |
2001–2002 | → Sremčica (loan) | 21 | (10) |
2002–2003 | → Srem (loan) | 8 | (0) |
2003–2006 | Bežanija | 76 | (37) |
2004–2005 | → Radnički Beograd (loan) | 18 | (4) |
2006 | → Al-Ahli (loan) | 10 | (8) |
2007 | Incheon United | 26 | (14) |
2008–2013 | FC Seoul | 181 | (116) |
2014 | Jiangsu Sainty | 11 | (5) |
2014–2015 | Beijing Guoan | 45 | (26) |
2016–2017 | FC Seoul | 73 | (32) |
2018–2019 | Suwon Samsung Bluewings | 54 | (16) |
2020 | Daegu FC | 23 | (9) |
2021– | Kitchee | 0 | (0) |
National team | |||
2008–2015 | Montenegro | 30 | (8) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22:55, 23 December 2020 (UTC) |
Early life
Damjanović was born in the town of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina (then part of Yugoslavia) on 27 July 1981.[3] During the Yugoslav Wars, he moved to Serbia, initially to Pančevo, and then to Belgrade.
Club career
Early career
Damjanović made his debut for Sinđelić Beograd in 1998, scoring 6 goals in 21 matches in his first season. He moved to Železnik in 2000 and later also played with Bežanija and Radnički Beograd (First League of Serbia and Montenegro). He played one season in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ahli and in summer 2006 he returned to Serbia and played with Bežanija in the debut season of the Serbian SuperLiga. During the winter break, by early 2007, he moved to South Korean club Incheon United.
FC Seoul
![](../I/Dejan080413.jpg.webp)
Damjanović signed a contract with FC Seoul on 7 December 2007.[4]
He was the second highest scorer in the K-League in 2007, 2008 and 2009. With 23 goals for Seoul in 2011 season, he was crowned the league's top scorer.
In July 2009, he managed to score two goals against Manchester United in United's Asian tour. However, FC Seoul lost 3–2, United's goals being scored by Wayne Rooney, Federico Macheda and Dimitar Berbatov.[5]
In January 2012, Chinese Super League club Guangzhou R&F offered $5 million to FC Seoul for Damjanović, but it was rejected by Seoul. Damjanović scored his 100th career goal with FC Seoul from a penalty goal, along with the 101st in the same match over a 3–1 win against his former club Incheon United on 28 May 2012. On 25 July 2012, he became top scorer in K-League foreign player history by scoring his 105th goal in the match against Daejeon Citizen. The previous record holder is Saša Drakulić who made 104 goals in K-League.
In the first match of the 2012 K-League season, Damjanović was substituted out after 22 minutes against Daegu FC. It had been speculated that the FC Seoul manager, Choi Yong-Soo, and Damjanović had a rift. Damjanović wanted to leave but FC Seoul would not let him. However, as time went on, FC Seoul issued an official statement by Choi saying there was no tension between the two.
He finished the 2012 K-League season with many accolades and records broken. He scored 31 goals in 40 appearances, thus breaking the record held by Kim Do-Hoon in 2002. He won the league with FC Seoul as well as becoming the Golden Boot winner, a spot in the K-League Best XI in the forward position, and the K-league MVP.
In January 2013, IFFHS ranked Damjanović seventh in the world for most goals in a top-division league surpassing players such as Zlatan Ibrahimović, Robin van Persie, and Wayne Rooney.[6]
In September 2013, Damjanović scored in both of two legs of the AFC Champions League quarter finals against his former team Al-Ahli. His scoring continued against the first leg of the semi-final against Esteghlal.[7]
Despite scoring in both legs of the 2013 AFC Champions League Final against Guangzhou Evergrande, FC Seoul lost on away goals and thus ending the competition as runners-up.
Jiangsu Sainty
In December 2013, Damjanović transferred to Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Sainty with transfer fee $4.2 million.[8]
Beijing Guoan
On 17 July 2014, Damjanović transferred to fellow Chinese Super League side Beijing Guoan.[9]
FC Seoul
On 28 December 2015, Damjanović returned to FC Seoul, signing a two-year contract.[10]
On 3 August 2016, Damjanović scored his 150th goal in 254th appearance in the K League, setting a record for the quickest player to reach 150 goals in the K League history.[11]
Suwon Samsung Bluewings
On 4 January 2018, Damjanović signed for FC Seoul's biggest rivals Suwon Samsung Bluewings.[12][13][14] He was released in December 2019.[15]
International career
Damjanović's first international as a Montenegrin football player was against Italy on 16 October 2008. He scored two goals in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Cyprus.[19][20] He scored his third international goal in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Ukraine on 16 October 2012.
On 26 March 2013, during a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against England, Damjanović came on, as a substitute, for Mitar Novaković in the 46th minute. Twenty minutes later he scored his fourth international goal to end the match in a 1–1 draw.
On 6 September 2013, during a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier, Damjanović provided the only goal for Montenegro as they tied 1–1 with Poland in Warsaw.
On 11 October 2013, Damjanović scored the only goal for Montenegro in their 4–1 defeat to England at Wembley Stadium in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. He has earned a total of 30 caps, scoring 8 goals.[21] His final international was a September 2015 European Championship qualification match against Moldova.[22]
Personal life
His daughter and son were born in South Korea.[23]
Career statistics
Club
Club | Season | League | Cup | League Cup | Continental | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Sinđelić Beograd | 1998–99[27] | Serbian League Belgrade | 21 | 6 | — | — | — | 21 | 6 | |||
1999–2000[28] | Serbian League Belgrade | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | ||||
Total | 21 | 6 | — | — | — | 21 | 6 | |||||
Železnik | 2000–01 | First League of FRY | 3 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 0 | ||||
2001–02 | First League of FRY | 10 | 0 | — | — | 10 | 0 | |||||
Total | 13 | 0 | — | — | 13 | 0 | ||||||
Sremčica (loan) | 2001–02 | Serbian League Belgrade | 21 | 10[lower-alpha 1] | — | — | — | 21 | 10 | |||
Srem (loan) | 2002–03 | Second League of SCG | 8 | 0 | — | — | 8 | 0 | ||||
Bežanija | 2003–04 | Second League of SCG | 18 | 13 | — | — | — | 18 | 13 | |||
2004–05 | Serbian First League | 19 | 8 | — | — | — | 19 | 8 | ||||
2005–06 | Serbian First League | 24 | 11 | — | — | — | 24 | 11 | ||||
2006–07 | Serbian SuperLiga | 15 | 5 | — | — | 15 | 5 | |||||
Total | 76 | 37 | — | — | 76 | 37 | ||||||
Radnički Beograd (loan) | 2003–04 | Second League of SCG | 12 | 4 | — | — | 12 | 4 | ||||
2004–05 | First League of SCG | 6 | 0 | — | — | 6 | 0 | |||||
Total | 18 | 4 | — | — | 18 | 4 | ||||||
Al-Ahli (loan) | 2005–06 | Saudi Premier League | 10 | 8 | — | 10 | 8 | |||||
Incheon United | 2007 | K League | 26 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 5 | — | 40 | 20 | |
FC Seoul | 2008 | K League | 29 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | 34 | 15 | |
2009 | K League | 23 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 5 | 36 | 19 | |
2010 | K League | 28 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 6 | — | 36 | 19 | ||
2011 | K League | 30 | 24 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 5 | 42 | 32 | |
2012 | K League | 42 | 31 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 44 | 31 | |||
2013 | K League 1 | 29 | 19 | 2 | 1 | — | 13 | 7 | 44 | 27 | ||
Total | 181 | 116 | 11 | 4 | 13 | 6 | 31 | 17 | 236 | 143 | ||
Jiangsu Sainty | 2014 | Chinese Super League | 11 | 5 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 11 | 5 | ||
Beijing Guoan | 2014 | Chinese Super League | 16 | 10 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 16 | 10 | ||
2015 | Chinese Super League | 29 | 16 | 2 | 1 | — | 9 | 2 | 40 | 19 | ||
Total | 45 | 26 | 2 | 1 | — | 9 | 2 | 56 | 29 | |||
FC Seoul | 2016 | K League 1 | 36 | 13 | 4 | 1 | — | 11 | 5 | 51 | 19 | |
2017 | K League 1 | 37 | 19 | 2 | 0 | — | 4 | 3 | 43 | 22 | ||
Total | 73 | 32 | 6 | 1 | — | 15 | 8 | 94 | 41 | |||
Suwon Samsung Bluewings | 2018 | K League 1 | 33 | 13 | 4 | 4 | — | 13 | 10 | 50 | 27 | |
2019 | K League 1 | 21 | 3 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 24 | 3 | |||
Total | 54 | 16 | 7 | 4 | — | 13 | 10 | 74 | 30 | |||
Daegu FC | 2020 | K League 1 | 23 | 9 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 25 | 9 | ||
Kitchee | 2020–21 | Hong Kong Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Career total | 580 | 283 | 32 | 11 | 23 | 11 | 68 | 37 | 703 | 342 |
- Estimates at 17 goals according to a Serbian source,[29] but the number of appearances is unknown.
International goals
- Scores and results list Montenegro's goal tally first.
# | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | 6 June 2009 | Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium, Larnaca | ![]() | 1–2 | 2–2 | 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification |
2. | 2–2 | |||||
3. | 16 October 2012 | Olympic Stadium, Kiev | ![]() | 1–0 | 1–0 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
4. | 26 March 2013 | Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica | ![]() | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
5. | 6 September 2013 | National Stadium, Warsaw, Warsaw | ![]() | 1–0 | 1–1 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
6. | 11 October 2013 | Wembley Stadium, London | ![]() | 1–2 | 1–4 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
7. | 5 March 2014 | Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica | ![]() | 1–0 | 1–0 | Friendly |
8. | 14 June 2015 | Friends Arena, Solna | ![]() | 1–3 | 1–3 | UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying |
Honours
Club
Radnički Beograd
Bežanija
Al-Ahli
- Saudi Crown Prince Cup runner-up: 2006
FC Seoul
- K League 1: 2010, 2012, 2016
- Korean FA Cup runner-up: 2016
- Korean League Cup: 2010
- AFC Champions League runner-up: 2013
Suwon Samsung Bluewings
Individual
- Serbian League Belgrade Player of the Season: 2001–02[29]
- Serbian League Belgrade top goalscorer: 2001–02[29]
- K League Players' Player of the Year: 2010[30]
- Korean League Cup top goalscorer: 2010[31]
- K League 1 Best XI: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013[lower-alpha 1]
- K League 1 top goalscorer: 2011, 2012, 2013[lower-alpha 1]
- K League 1 Most Valuable Player: 2012[lower-alpha 1]
- K League FANtastic Player: 2012[lower-alpha 1]
- AFC Champions League Dream Team: 2013[37]
- AFC Champions League All-Star Squad: 2016, 2018[38][39]
Notes
References
- "Dèjan". Hrvatski jezični portal (in Serbo-Croatian). Retrieved 17 March 2018.
Dèjan
- "Dàmjan". Hrvatski jezični portal (in Serbo-Croatian). Retrieved 17 March 2018.
Dàmjanović (Damjánović)
- Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Dejan Damjanović". nationalfootballteams.com. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
- ‘세르비아 슈퍼 특급’데얀, 귀네슈호 합류! (in Korean). FC Seoul.com. 7 December 2007.
- "FC서울 데얀의 발 '맨유 문' 뚫었다" (in Korean). Munhwa Ilbo. 25 July 2009.
- "IFFHS (International Federation of Football History & Statistics)". iffhs.de. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
- FIFA.com (21 August 2013). "Al-Ahli 1–1 FC Seoul (AFC Champions League quarter-finals)". fifa.com. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
- 舜天宣布签约首尔FC锋霸德扬 亚冠决赛破恒大城门(in Chinese)
- 国安官方宣布外援德扬正式加盟 将身披27号战袍 at sina.com 17 July 2014 Retrieved 17 July 2014
- englishnews@chosun.com (29 December 2015). "Dejan Damjanovic to Return to K-League". english.chosun.com. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
- 데얀, 멀티골로 역전극...최소 경기 150골 달성 (in Korean). Yonhap Television News Ilbo. 4 August 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
- "S. Korean football club Suwon sign Montenegrin striker Dejan Damjanovic". Yonhap. 4 January 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
- "K League star Damjanovic leaves Seoul for rivals Suwon". FOX Sports Asia. 4 January 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
- "[오피셜] 수원삼성, K리그 레전드 공격수 데얀 영입확정!". www.bluewings.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 31 October 2018.
- John Duerden (1 December 2019). "End nears for Dejan, K League's best ever import". Korea Times. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
- Neat, Paul (27 December 2019). "Breaking: Dejan Damjanović Signs for Daegu FC". K League United. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
- "대구, 서울 6-0 대파...세징야-김대원-데얀 골". sports.news.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved 16 June 2020.
- "Dejan Damjanović Signs for Kitchee". Kitchee. 9 January 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
- FIFA.com. "2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ - Matches - Cyprus-Montenegro – FIFA.com". fifa.com. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
- 서울 데얀, 월드컵 유럽 예선전서 2골 터뜨리며 맹활약 (in Korean)
- Montenegro - Record International Players - RSSSF
- "Player Database". eu-football.info. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
- "Dejan Damjanović - od kralja beogradskih liga do najveće legende Južne Koreje" [Dejan Damjanovic - from the king of Beograd leagues to the biggest legend of South Korea] (in Serbian). sportal.rs. 13 June 2013. Archived from the original on 28 March 2014.
- Dejan Damjanović at National-Football-Teams.com
- "Montenegro – D. Damjanović". Soccerway.com. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
- #10 데얀. KLeague.com (in Korean). Retrieved 4 December 2019.
- Miladinovich, Misha; Krsmanovic, Dragan (2 August 1999). "Yugoslavia 1998/99". RSSSF.com. RSSSF. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
- Miladinovich, Misha; Krsmanovic, Dragan (28 June 2017). "Yugoslavia 1999/2000". RSSSF.com. RSSSF. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
- "Page 6" (in Serbian). DSL Sport. 18 June 2002. (This source needs a link to see the article.)
- "데얀, K리거 선정 '2010 최고의 K리거'". Sportalkorea. 29 July 2010.
- "[사진]데얀, '득점왕은 내 차지'". OSEN. 25 August 2010.
- "김은중, K-리그 MVP..감독상은 박경훈 '제주 독식'". Yonhap. 20 December 2010.
- "2011 K리그, 이동국-데얀 천하". Sports Kyunghyang. 1 November 2011.
- "[K리그]전북 이동국 2년 만에 MVP…신인왕은 이승기". Newsis. 6 December 2011.
- "데얀, K리그 MVP..감독상은 최용수 '서울 천하'". Yonhap. 3 December 2012.
- "(종합) 김신욱, MVP 포함 3관왕...감독상엔 '더블' 이룬 황선홍". Sportalkorea. 3 December 2013.
- "AFC Champions League 2013 Dream Team". Facebook.com. AFC Champions League. 15 November 2013.
- "TSG Report: AFC Champions League 2016 - Part 3". AFC. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
- "AFC Champions League 2018 Technical Report". AFC. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
External links
- Dejan Damjanović at Soccerway
- Dejan Damjanović – K League stats at kleague.com (in Korean)
- Dejan Damjanović – FIFA competition record
- Dejan Damjanović at National-Football-Teams.com