ISL Transfer: FC Goa sign midfielder Dejan Dražić on a Two-year deal

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FC Goa has announced the arrival of midfielder Dejan Dražić, who becomes the club's first-ever signing from Serbia.

Dražić has penned a two-year contract with the Gaurs, which will see him at the West Coast till the 2025-26 season.

This being his first-ever assignment outside of the European continent, the 28-year-old arrives on Indian shores to play for FC Goa after an impressive season with Cyprus-based Ethnikos Achna FC - where he notched six goals and 14 assists across 39 appearances in 2023-24.

Born in the city of Sombor in Serbia, a young Dražić began his football journey with FK Teleoptik in the late 2000s, before progressing through the youth ranks of Serbian giants Partizan Belgrade. His professional career kicked off in 2013 with Serbian SuperLiga club OFK Beograd, where he made an immediate impact by scoring his first league goal just a month after his debut.

The midfielder's talent soon took him to Spain, where he played for LaLiga side Celta de Vigo and spent a season on loan at Real Valladolid in the Segunda division. His journey then continued through Slovakia with Slovan Bratislava, Poland with Zagłębie Lubin, and Hungary with Budapest Honvéd FC, all in the top-division leagues of their respective countries.

Dražić enjoyed significant success at Bratislava in particular, winning the league title twice - in 2018-19 and 2020-21 - and playing regularly in the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League. Following stints with Turkish club Bodrum FK and Serbian outfit FK Radnik, he joined Ethnikos Achna FC in the Cypriot First Division League, where he had one of his best campaigns to-date last season.

On the international stage, Dejan Dražić has represented Serbia at various youth levels. He was a part of the Eagles' squad at the 2014 UEFA Under-19 Championship and has also featured for their U20 and U21 teams. With 326 appearances, 54 goals and 48 assists overall across his club career, the 28-year-old brings with him substantial experience and a distinguished record, as he now looks to try his hand in Indian football.

On his decision to join FC Goa, Dražić said, "I'm happy to join the Gaurs, and I'm ready for a new challenge after so many years in Europe. I heard the best things about the Indian Super League, from my friends from Serbia who played here - some of them are still here.

"I hope to justify this trust in me. The bigger goal, of course, is to be one of the contenders to win the league and the cup competitions. I am also eager to show myself well, and to bring the club and the team what they expect from me," the Serbian said.

Dejan Dražić is hence the Gaurs' fourth confirmed foreign signing for the 2024-25 season, after Carl McHugh, Odei Onaindia who recently extended his terms and Iker Guarrotxena who returned to the Club last week after an impressive debut campaign in 2022-23.

(An Excerpt from Agency)