Nikola Maraš Explained

Nikola Maraš
Birth Date:19 December 1995
Birth Place:Belgrade, FR Yugoslavia
Height:1.89 m
Position:Centre-back
Currentclub:Alavés
Youthclubs1:Partizan
Youthyears2:2010–2013
Youthclubs2:Rad
Years1:2013–2017
Clubs1:Rad
Caps1:104
Goals1:7
Years2:2017–2020
Clubs2:Chaves
Caps2:57
Goals2:5
Years3:2019–2020
Clubs3:Almería (loan)
Caps3:38
Goals3:2
Years4:2020–2022
Clubs4:Almería
Caps4:30
Goals4:1
Years5:2021–2022
Clubs5:Rayo Vallecano (loan)
Caps5:16
Goals5:0
Years6:2022–2023
Clubs6:Alavés (loan)
Caps6:20
Goals6:0
Years7:2023–
Clubs7:Alavés
Caps7:0
Goals7:0
Years8:2024
Clubs8:Levante (loan)
Caps8:8
Goals8:0
Nationalyears1:2015
Nationalteam1:Serbia U20
Nationalcaps1:3
Nationalgoals1:1
Nationalyears2:2016–2017
Nationalteam2:Serbia U21
Nationalcaps2:5
Nationalgoals2:2
Nationalyears3:2015
Nationalteam3:Serbia U23
Nationalcaps3:1
Nationalgoals3:0
Nationalyears4:2016–
Nationalteam4:Serbia
Nationalcaps4:2
Nationalgoals4:0
Club-Update:27 May 2023
Nationalteam-Update:26 June 2019

Nikola Maraš (pronounced as /nǐkola mǎraʃ/; born 19 December 1995) is a Serbian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Spanish club Deportivo Alavés.

Club career

Rad

On 26 May 2013, Maraš made his senior debut for Rad, coming on as a second-half substitute for Uroš Vitas in a 3–1 home league win over Radnički Niš. He scored his first goal for the club on 16 August 2014, giving his side a 2–1 win over Borac Čačak also at the Stadion Kralj Petar I. Over the course of the 2014–15 Serbian SuperLiga, Maraš established himself as a regular member of the team's defensive line, recording the full 90 minutes in all of his 23 appearances. He was subsequently named as the team's captain, being an undisputed starter in the following two seasons (2015–16 and 2016–17). On 5 August 2017, Maraš made his 100th league appearance for Rad in a 1–2 loss to Mladost Lučani.

Chaves

On 31 August 2017, Maraš was officially transferred to Portuguese club Chaves on a four-year deal.[1]

Almería

On 15 August 2019, Maraš joined Spanish club Almería on a one-year loan.[2] On 22 August of the following year, after being a regular starter, he signed a permanent four-year deal with the club.[3]

On 31 August 2021, Maraš moved to La Liga side Rayo Vallecano on loan for the 2021–22 season.[4]

Alavés

On 11 August 2022, Maraš moved to second division side Deportivo Alavés also in a temporary one-year deal.[5] On 26 June 2023, after the club's promotion to the top tier, he signed a permanent four-year contract.[6]

On 1 February 2024, after failing to make any league appearances for the first half of the 2023–24 campaign, Maraš returned to the second division after being loaned out to Levante UD.[7]

International career

On 29 September 2016, Maraš played the full 90 minutes in Serbia's 0–3 friendly loss to Qatar. He also appeared in a 0–0 draw against the United States on 29 January 2017, playing the entire match.[8]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalTotal
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Rad2012–13100010
2013–14500050
2014–1523130261
2015–1634400344
2016–1734220362
2017–18700070
Total1047501097
Chaves2017–182912000311
2018–192840030314
Total5752030625
Almería (loan)2019–203821100393
Career total19914813021015

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Flavienses oficializam Nikola Maras . Portuguese . record.pt . 31 August 2017 . 3 September 2017.
  2. Web site: Nikola Maras se incorpora a los entrenamientos . Spanish . udalmeriasad.com . 15 August 2019 . 15 August 2019.
  3. Web site: Nikola Maras, primer fichaje del Almería 2020–21. Nikola Maras, first signing of Almería 2020–21. UD Almería. es. 22 August 2020. 23 August 2020.
  4. Web site: Maraš loaned out to Rayo Vallecano while Juan Ibiza and Vada end contracts. UD Almería. 31 August 2021. 31 August 2021.
  5. Web site: Maras se marcha cedido al Deportivo Alavés hasta final de temporada. Maras moves out on loan to Deportivo Alavés until the end of the season. UD Almería. es. 11 August 2022. 12 August 2022.
  6. Web site: El Deportivo Alavés ejecuta la compra de Nikola Maras. Deportivo Alavés exercise the buyout clause of Nikola Maras. Deportivo Alavés. es. 26 June 2023. 27 June 2023.
  7. Web site: Nikola Maraš jugará cedido en el Levante UD. Nikola Maraš will play on loan at Levante UD. Deportivo Alavés. es. 1 February 2024. 2 February 2024.
  8. Web site: Watch: USA draws Serbia 0–0 in Arena's return; Nagbe, Pontius come close . Sports Illustrated . 29 January 2017 . 27 February 2017.