Rajko Janjanin Explained

Rajko Janjanin
Fullname:Rajko Janjanin
Birth Date:18 January 1957
Position:Midfielder
Youthyears1:1969–1975
Youthclubs1:NK Karlovac
Years1:1975–1980
Clubs1:Dinamo Zagreb
Caps1:108
Goals1:4
Years2:1980–1984
Clubs2:Red Star Belgrade
Caps2:115
Goals2:22
Years3:1985–1986
Clubs3:OFI
Caps3:43
Goals3:11
Years4:1986–1988
Clubs4:AEK Athens
Caps4:51
Goals4:5
Totalcaps:317
Totalgoals:42
Nationalyears1:1979–1980
Nationalteam1:Yugoslavia
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:0

Rajko Janjanin (Serbian: Pajкo Jaњaнин; born 18 January 1957) is a Yugoslav of Croatian Serb descent former international football player, who played as a midfielder.

Club career

Janjanin started his professional career in 1975 playing for Dinamo Zagreb, with whom he played for five years, winning the Yugoslav Cup in 1980.

Afterwards, he joined Red Star Belgrade for almost five years. His shining moment took place on 19 September 1984, when he scored a second half hat-trick in the 3–2 win over Benfica for the European Cup after Red Star was down by 0–2.[1] With Red Star he won two Yugoslav First League and a Yugoslav cup in 1982, while he became an international footballer.

In November 1984, Janjanin moved to Greece and joined OFI, where he performed very well and had a decisive contribution to the Cretan team, achieving a second place finish in the following season's championship. In December 1986 his contract was coming to an end and despite the proposal of the management for a renewal, there was a gap between the two sides, since the player was asking for 18 million drachmas for a two-year contract and he was offered much less money. AEK Athens, which were interested in the player, fully met his demands and signed him, despite the opposition from OFI. At AEK he didn't achieve high performances, but occasionally showed samples of his football quality. In the summer of 1988, his contact was terminated and unable to find a club of his interest, Janjanin decided to finish his career.[2]

International career

Janjanin was capped twice for Yugoslavia.[3]

Personal life

His brother, Željko was also a footballer.[4]

Honours

Dinamo Zagreb

1980

Red Star

1981, 1984

1982, 1985

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Crvena zvezda-Benfica UEFA Champions League 1984/85. UEFA.com.
  2. Web site: Ράικο Γιάνγιανιν. kitrinomavro.gr.
  3. Web site: Rajko Janjanin (Player). Benjamin. Strack-Zimmermann. www.national-football-teams.com.
  4. http://povijest.gnkdinamo.hr/popis-igrača/željko-janjanin.html Željko Janjanin