Dejan Damjanović Explained

Dejan Damjanović
Birth Date:27 July 1981
Birth Place:Mostar, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, Yugoslavia
Height:1.87m
Position:Forward
Youthclubs1:Dinamo Pančevo
Youthclubs2:Sinđelić Beograd
Years1:1998–2000
Clubs1:Sinđelić Beograd
Caps1:21
Goals1:6
Years2:2000–2003
Clubs2:Železnik
Caps2:13
Goals2:0
Years3:2001–2002
Clubs3:→ Sremčica (loan)
Caps3:21
Goals3:10
Years4:2002
Clubs4:Srem (loan)
Caps4:8
Goals4:0
Years5:2003
Clubs5:Radnički Beograd (loan)
Caps5:12
Goals5:4
Years6:2004–2006
Clubs6:Bežanija
Caps6:76
Goals6:37
Years7:2004
Clubs7:Radnički Beograd (loan)
Caps7:6
Goals7:0
Years8:2006
Clubs8:Al-Ahli (loan)
Caps8:10
Goals8:8
Years9:2007
Clubs9:Incheon United
Caps9:26
Goals9:14
Years10:2008–2013
Clubs10:FC Seoul
Caps10:181
Goals10:116
Years11:2014
Clubs11:Jiangsu Sainty
Caps11:11
Goals11:5
Years12:2014–2015
Clubs12:Beijing Guoan
Caps12:45
Goals12:26
Years13:2016–2017
Clubs13:FC Seoul
Caps13:73
Goals13:32
Years14:2018–2019
Clubs14:Suwon Samsung Bluewings
Caps14:54
Goals14:16
Years15:2020
Clubs15:Daegu FC
Caps15:23
Goals15:9
Years16:2021–2023
Clubs16:Kitchee
Caps16:33
Goals16:38
Totalcaps:613
Totalgoals:321
Nationalyears1:2008–2015
Nationalteam1:Montenegro
Nationalcaps1:30
Nationalgoals1:8

Dejan Damjanović (Serbian: Дејан Дамјановић, pronounced as /dějan dǎmjanoʋitɕ, - damjǎː-/;[1] [2] born 27 July 1981), also known mononymously as Dejan, is a former Montenegrin professional footballer who played as a forward. He is regarded as one of the greatest K League players of all time.[3]

Early life

Damjanović was born in the town of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina (then part of Yugoslavia) on 27 July 1981.[4] During the Yugoslav Wars, he moved to Serbia, initially to Pančevo, and then to Belgrade.

Club career

Early career

Damjanović made his senior debut for the third division team 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 Sremčica, Srem, Radnički Beograd and Bežanija.[5] He experienced all the first, second, and third division of FR Yugoslavia/Serbia and Montenegro, and also became the best player and the top goalscorer of the third division while playing for Sremčica.

FC Seoul

Damjanović signed a contract with FC Seoul on 7 December 2007.[6] He was the second highest scorer in 2007, 2008 and 2009 K League. 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.[7]

In January 2012, Chinese Super League club Guangzhou R&F offered $5 million to FC Seoul for Damjanović, but it was rejected by Seoul. In the first match of the 2012 K League, 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. 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 the top foreign goalscorer in the history of the K League 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. Afterwards, he scored 31 goals in 40 appearances, thus breaking the record held by Kim Do-hoon in 2002. He finished the 2012 season with many accolades and records broken. He won the league with FC Seoul as well as becoming the Most Valuable Player, top goalscorer, and one of the Best XI. In January 2013, IFFHS ranked Damjanović seventh in the world for most goals in a top-division league during a year.[8]

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.[9] However, 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.[10]

Beijing Guoan

On 17 July 2014, Damjanović transferred to fellow Chinese Super League side Beijing Guoan.[11]

Return to FC Seoul

On 28 December 2015, Damjanović returned to FC Seoul, signing a two-year contract.[12]

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.[13]

Suwon Samsung Bluewings

On 4 January 2018, Damjanović signed for FC Seoul's biggest rivals Suwon Samsung Bluewings.[14] [15] [16] He was released in December 2019.[17]

Daegu FC

In late December 2019, Daegu FC announced the signing of Damjanović on a free transfer.[18] On June 14, he scored his first goal since moving against FC Seoul.[19]

Kitchee

On 9 January 2021, Kitchee announced the signing of Damjanović on a free transfer.[20] He made his debut for Kitchee on 27 February 2021, coming off the bench in the 67th minute in a 2–1 win against Southern.

On 4 March 2021, He scored his first goal in Hong Kong in just 1 minute after being substituted. In stoppage time, he scores his second to assist the team in a 2–0 victory over Pegasus. On 23 May, Kitchee SC successfully defended their Hong Kong Premier League title after beating Eastern Long Lions 2–0, courtesy of two goals by Dejan Damjanovic at the Hong Kong Stadium.[21]

On 24 June 2021, he scored the second goal in 2021 AFC Champions League group stage against Port F.C. and makes him joint-highest goal scorer along with Lee Dong-gook in ACL history with 37 goals. On 27 June 2021, he scored a goal against Cerezo Osaka to become the all-time ACL top scorer with 38 goals.[22] He later scored twice from the penalty spot, one each in two matches against Guangzhou, to reach his 40th goal in the AFC Champions League.[23]

On 1 May 2022, he scored his 42nd goal in the AFC Champions League in a 2–2 draw against Vissel Kobe in the 2022 edition, which helped Kitchee to reach the knockout stages of the competition for the first time in their history.[24]

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.[25] [26] 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.[27] His final international was a September 2015 European Championship qualification match against Moldova.[28]

Personal life

His daughter and son were born in South Korea.[29]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[30] [31]
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Sinđelić Beograd[32] [33] 1998–99Serbian League Belgrade216216
1999–2000Serbian League Belgrade0000
Total216216
Železnik2000–01First League (FRY)3030
2001–02First League (FRY)100100
Total130130
Sremčica (loan)2001–02Serbian League Belgrade21102110
Srem (loan)2002–03Second League (SCG)8080
Radnički Beograd (loan)2003–04Second League (SCG)124124
Bežanija2003–04Second League (SCG)18131813
2004–05Second League (SCG)198198
2005–06Serbian First League24112411
2006–07Serbian SuperLiga155155
Total76377637
Radnički Beograd (loan)2004–05First League (SCG)6060
Al-Ahli (loan)2005–06Saudi Premier League108108
Incheon United2007K League2614411054020
FC Seoul2008K League291510403415
2009K League23142020953619
2010K League281310763619
2011K League30243300954232
2012K League4231204431
2013K League Classic2919211374427
Total1811161141363117236143
Jiangsu Sainty2014Chinese Super League11500115
Beijing Guoan2014Chinese Super League1610211811
2015Chinese Super League291621924019
Total452642925830
FC Seoul2016K League Classic3613411155119
2017K League Classic371920434322
Total7332611589441
Suwon Samsung Bluewings2018K League 133134413105027
2019K League 121330243
Total54167413107430
Daegu FC2020K League 123920259
Kitchee2020–21Hong Kong Premier League141700642021
2021–22Hong Kong Premier League442178521815
2022–23Hong Kong Premier League15171177002325
Total33383214151166161
Career total613321371437267943766404

International

Scores and results list Montenegro's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Damjanović goal.

List of international goals scored by Dejan Damjanović
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1 6 June 2009 1–2 2–2 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
2 2–2
3 16 October 2012 1–0 1–0 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
4 26 March 2013 1–1 1–1 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
5 6 September 2013 1–0 1–1 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
6 11 October 2013 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 1–3 1–3 UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying

Honours

Radnički Beograd

2003–04

Bežanija

2005–06

Al-Ahli

FC Seoul

2010, 2012, 2016

2010

Suwon Samsung Bluewings

Kitchee

2020–21, 2022–23

2022–23

Individual

2010[35]

2010, 2011, 2012, 2013

2011, 2012, 2013

2012

2012

2020–21[40]

Records

42 goals[24]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dèjan. Dèjan. Hrvatski jezični portal. 2018-03-17. sh.
  2. Web site: Dàmjan. Dàmjanović (Damjánović). Hrvatski jezični portal. 2018-03-17. sh.
  3. News: https://www.goal.com/kr/news/147/korea/2016/02/11/20198382/k%EB%A6%AC%EA%B7%B8-%EC%97%AD%EB%8C%80-%EC%B5%9C%EA%B3%A0%EC%9D%98-%EC%84%A0%EC%88%98-top-20/%EC%B5%9C%EA%B0%95%ED%9D%AC-1983-92-%EC%9A%B8%EC%82%B0-%ED%98%84%EB%8C%80%EC%9D%98-%EC%A0%84%EC%8B%A0-%ED%98%84%EB%8C%80-%ED%98%B8%EB%9E%91%EC%9D%B4%EC%9D%98-%EC%B0%BD%EB%8B%A8%EC%9D%84-%ED%95%A8%EA%BB%98%ED%95%98%EB%A9%B0-%ED%8C%80%EC%9D%84-%EC%84%B1%EA%B3%B5-%EA%B6%A4%EB%8F%84%EC%97%90-%EC%98%AC%EB%A0%A4%EB%86%93%EC%9D%80-%EC%A3%BC%EC%9E%A5-%EC%88%98%EB%B9%84%EC%88%98%EB%A1%9C%EC%84%9C-%EC%84%B8-/1 . ko:K리그 역대 최고의 선수 Top 20 . Goal.com . 2016-02-11 . 2021-08-24 . ko.
  4. Web site: Dejan Damjanović. https://web.archive.org/web/20111002140240/http://nationalfootballteams.com/v2/player.php?id=29912. dead. 2 October 2011. Benjamin. Strack-Zimmermann. nationalfootballteams.com. 3 April 2017.
  5. https://dekisa.tripod.com/prelazniroksever03_2.htm 2003/04 winter transfer window in the Second League of Serbia and Montenegro Group North
  6. News: http://m.fcseoul.com/mobile/news_tv/fcnews_view.jsp?seq=998&tcd=news&pg=178 . ko:‘세르비아 슈퍼 특급’데얀, 귀네슈호 합류! . ko . FC Seoul . 7 December 2007 . 7 September 2015 . 12 January 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160112225137/http://m.fcseoul.com/mobile/news_tv/fcnews_view.jsp?seq=998&tcd=news&pg=178 . dead .
  7. News: http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=139&oid=021&aid=0002001415 . ko:FC서울 데얀의 발 '맨유 문' 뚫었다. ko . Munhwa Ilbo. 25 July 2009.
  8. Web site: IFFHS (International Federation of Football History & Statistics) . IFFHS . 3 April 2017.
  9. Web site: Al-Ahli 1–1 FC Seoul (AFC Champions League quarter-finals). https://web.archive.org/web/20130824232031/http://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/photogallery/gallery=2155836.html#2155831. dead. 24 August 2013. FIFA . 21 August 2013 . 3 April 2017.
  10. http://sports.sina.com.cn/j/2013-12-26/15036953790.shtml 舜天宣布签约首尔FC锋霸德扬 亚冠决赛破恒大城门
  11. http://sports.sina.com.cn/j/2014-07-17/15467256627.shtml 国安官方宣布外援德扬正式加盟 将身披27号战袍
  12. News: Dejan Damjanovic to Return to K-League. 3 August 2016. 29 December 2015. english.chosun.com. englishnews@chosun.com.
  13. News: http://sports.news.naver.com/kfootball/news/read.nhn?oid=052&aid=0000883923. ko:데얀, 멀티골로 역전극...최소 경기 150골 달성. ko . Yonhap Television News Ilbo. 4 August 2016. 4 August 2016.
  14. News: S. Korean football club Suwon sign Montenegrin striker Dejan Damjanovic. 4 January 2018. Yonhap. 4 January 2018.
  15. News: K League star Damjanovic leaves Seoul for rivals Suwon. 4 January 2018. FOX Sports Asia. 4 January 2018.
  16. Web site: [오피셜] 수원삼성, K리그 레전드 공격수 데얀 영입확정!]. www.bluewings.kr. ko. 2018-10-31.
  17. Web site: John Duerden . End nears for Dejan, K League's best ever import . Korea Times . 4 December 2019 . en . 1 December 2019.
  18. News: Neat . Paul . Breaking: Dejan Damjanović Signs for Daegu FC . 11 May 2020 . K League United . 27 December 2019.
  19. Web site: 대구, 서울 6-0 대파...세징야-김대원-데얀 골. 2020-06-16. sports.news.naver.com. ko.
  20. News: Dejan Damjanović Signs for Kitchee . 9 January 2021 . Kitchee . 9 January 2021.
  21. News: Damjanovic stars as Kitchee clinch fifth Hong Kong Premier League title. 23 May 2021. Asian Football Confederation.
  22. Web site: All-time AFC Champions League Top Scorer: Damjanovic's legacy of goals . AFC . 27 June 2021 .
  23. Web site: Group J: Damjanovic strikes again as Kitchee SC beat Guangzhou FC to stay within reach of AFC Champions League knockout stage . AFC . 3 July 2021 .
  24. Web site: Hong Kong's Kitchee march on to AFC Champions League knockout round for first time with dramatic injury-time equaliser . ESPN . 1 May 2022 .
  25. Web site: 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa – Matches – Cyprus–Montenegro. https://web.archive.org/web/20160401142638/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=250471/match=300041112/index.html#nosticky. dead. 1 April 2016. FIFA.com. 3 April 2017.
  26. https://web.archive.org/web/20131227131421/http://sports.media.daum.net/nms/soccer/news/general/view.do?cate=23758&type=&newsid=1339241&cp=flamma 서울 데얀, 월드컵 유럽 예선전서 2골 터뜨리며 맹활약
  27. https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/monteg-recintlp.html Montenegro - Record International Players
  28. Web site: Player Database. eu-football.info. 2020-08-28.
  29. News: Dejan Damjanović - od kralja beogradskih liga do najveće legende Južne Koreje. https://web.archive.org/web/20140328054311/http://sportal.rs/news.php?news=103140. 28 March 2014 . sportal.rs. 13 June 2013. sr. Dejan Damjanovic - from the king of Beograd leagues to the biggest legend of South Korea.
  30. Web site: Montenegro – D. Damjanović . Soccerway . 4 December 2019.
  31. Web site: ko:#10 데얀 . http://www.kleague.com/club/player?player=20070100 . K League . 4 December 2019 . ko . 22 July 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190722164653/http://www.kleague.com/club/player?player=20070100 . dead .
  32. Web site: Yugoslavia 1998/99 . 2 August 1999 . 27 December 2019 . Misha . Miladinovich . Dragan . . Krsmanovic.
  33. Web site: Yugoslavia 1999/2000 . 28 June 2017 . 27 December 2019 . Misha . Miladinovich . Dragan . . Krsmanovic.
  34. Book: . sr . . . 6 . 18 June 2002.
  35. Web site: https://sports.news.naver.com/general/news/read.nhn?oid=139&aid=0001965528. ko:데얀, K리거 선정 '2010 최고의 K리거'. Sportalkorea. 29 July 2010. ko.
  36. Web site: https://sports.news.naver.com/general/news/read.nhn?oid=109&aid=0002132769. ko:[사진]데얀, '득점왕은 내 차지'. Osen. 25 August 2010. ko.
  37. Web site: AFC Champions League 2013 Dream Team. 15 November 2013 . Facebook.com . AFC Champions League.
  38. Web site: TSG Report: AFC Champions League 2016 - Part 3 . AFC . 4 May 2020.
  39. Web site: AFC Champions League 2018 Technical Report . AFC . 10 June 2020.
  40. Web site: 2020/21香港足球明星選舉網上頒獎典禮及結果公佈. HKFA. 19 June 2021. zh.
  41. Web site: HKPL Top scorer 2020–2021. hkfa.com. 19 June 2021. Football Association of Hong Kong, China. 27 June 2021. 27 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210627151203/https://www.hkfa.com/en/shooterrank?page=1&year=2020-2021. dead.
  42. Web site: 中國香港足球總會 . 2023-05-18 . hkfa.com. Football Association of Hong Kong, China. en-US.
  43. Web site: [2020/21香港足球明星選舉網上頒獎典禮及結果公佈|publisher=HKFA|date=19 June 2021|language=zh].