Dragan Ćirić

Dragan Ćirić (Serbian Cyrillic: Драган Ћирић; born 15 September 1974) is a Serbian retired professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder for Partizan, Barcelona, AEK Athens, and Real Valladolid. Internationally, he played for the national team of Yugoslavia, earning 4 caps.[1]

Dragan Ćirić
Ćirić pictured in 2015
Personal information
Full name Dragan Ćirić
Date of birth (1974-09-15) 15 September 1974
Place of birth Belgrade, SFR Yugoslavia
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Youth career
Srem Jakovo
Partizan
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1992–1997 Partizan 143 (42)
1997–2000 Barcelona 26 (0)
1999–2000 → AEK Athens (loan) 26 (10)
2000–2004 Valladolid 51 (4)
2004–2005 Partizan 13 (3)
Total 259 (59)
National team
1995–1997 Yugoslavia 4 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

Early career

After starting out at local club Srem Jakovo,[2] Belgrade-born Ćirić finished his development at Partizan, sharing teams with the likes of Savo Milošević and Albert Nađ. This trio was promoted to the senior squad in 1992–93, as they won the league in that and the following seasons under manager Ljubiša Tumbaković. Ćirić conquered a further two national championships during his first spell and was the team's captain in the 1996–97 season.

Barcelona

In July 1997, Ćirić signed a four-year contract with Barcelona. Over the course of his career at Barcelona, he played 35 games across all competitions in his debut season. In addition into featuring in Barcelona's 1997–98 UEFA Champions League campaign, he also contributed to the team's treble conquest of La Liga, Copa del Rey and the UEFA Super Cup. Coach Louis van Gaal employed Ćirić primarily as a right-winger, although it was not his best position.[1] After losing his spot in the lineup[3] he was loaned to Greek side AEK Athens in a season-long move, scoring in double digits and also winning the domestic cup. Upon his return to the Camp Nou, he was sold to fellow Spaniards Real Valladolid in July 2000.[4][5]

Return to Partizan

In June 2004, Ćirić returned to Partizan, signing a three-year contract.[6] Under coach Vladimir Vermezović, he helped the club win the national league in his comeback season with an unbeaten record.[7] He also played in Partizan's historic 2004–05 UEFA Cup campaign, up to their elimination in the final 16 by CSKA Moscow. After that season, he retired shortly after at the age of 31.

International career

Ćirić was capped four times for Yugoslavia. He made his debut in a 4–1 friendly win against El Salvador on 12 November 1995, coming on as a substitute for Dejan Petković.

Administrative career

In December 2014, Ćirić was named director of football at Partizan.[8] He left the position less than two months later, citing dissatisfaction with the state of Serbian football as the main reason for his decision.[9]

Career statistics

International
National teamYearAppsGoals
Yugoslavia 199520
199600
199720
Total40

Honours
Partizan
Barcelona
AEK Athens

References
  1. Jovan Sekulić (6 November 2016). "Ćirić: Nisam bio u sukobu sa Van Galom". Večernje novosti (in Serbian). Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  2. "Radanović: Ćirić je rođen za fudbal" [Radanović: Ciric was born for football]. Politika (in Serbian). 10 January 2015. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  3. "Los grandes 'pufos' de la Liga española" [The great 'flops' of the Spanish League]. Marca (in Spanish). 13 August 2009. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  4. "Barcelona sell Dehu and Ciric". ESPN FC. 4 July 2000. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  5. "Ciric: "No creo que yo salvara a Moré"" [Ciric: "I do not think I was the one to save Moré"]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 23 April 2003. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  6. "Potpisali Ćirić i Marinković" [Ćirić and Marinković signed] (in Serbian). FK Partizan. 24 June 2004. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  7. "Unbeaten Partizan take title". UEFA.com. 17 May 2005. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  8. "Dragan Ćirić novi sportski direktor Partizana" [Dragan Ćirić new sporting director of Partizan] (in Serbian). FK Partizan. 26 December 2014. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  9. "Izjava g. Dragana Ćirića povodom odlaska sa mesta sportskog direktora FK Partizan" [Dragan Ćirić's statement regarding departure from sporting director position at FK Partizan] (in Serbian). FK Partizan. 23 February 2015. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
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