The Central Coast Mariners have landed experienced Serbian midfielder, Milan Đurić who has arrived on the Central Coast in preparation for the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 season.
Having most recently played in his homeland with FK Vojvodina, Đurić boasts a wealth of experience having plied his trade in Macedonia, Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Azerbaijan and of course, Serbia.
At 31-years-of-age, the Belgrade born playmaker earned the honours of best foreign player in the Macedonian First League in 2010 when his side FK Metalurg Skopje won the country’s Cup Competition and competed in qualifications for the UEFA Europa League.
The @ALeague draw is in!
What’s your favourite fixture? ? #CCMFC #ALeague pic.twitter.com/F1ZLp2zzvS
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) August 8, 2019
Đurić’s list of accolades continued to grow the following season when his side (FK Radnik Bijeljina) won the league in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Đurić’s seven goal season saw him claim the honours for best player in the league.
In 2012 Đurić returned to Serbia, this time with Jagodina. His goal in the 2013 Serbian Cup Final saw them crowned Cup Winners over Vojvodina, the club he would eventually sign for in 2018.
During a scouting mission in the offseason, Head Coach Alen Stajcic saw Đurić play in Serbia and is delighted to have secured his services for the upcoming season.
“Milan has years of experience playing in the Serbian top league and throughout Europe,” Stajcic said. “He is a natural leader and captained Vojvodina last season, one of the bigger clubs of Serbian football.
“This signing is another example of bringing a strong core of experience and leadership to the club and Milan is a role model that our younger players will learn from.
The #KeepersUnion were really pushing each other today. ?
Jess Vanstrattan puts @MarkBirraz & Adam Pearce through their paces in a BIG pre-season session. #CCMFC #ALeague pic.twitter.com/aUHNpwnSqS
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) August 6, 2019
“After watching him play in Serbia and having the chance to meet with him, it was clear that he was a player that could come to the Hyundai A-League and make an impact,” Stajcic said.
After signing a one-year-contract with the Central Coast Mariners Đurić can’t wait to get going.
“I am very excited to have joined the Mariners,” Đurić said. “I have met all of the players who have been very welcoming and trained with the team today.
“The opportunity to play in Australia is something that I am really looking forward to. The hard work starts now and I cannot wait to play my first game here with the Mariners.
“My goal is to earn the respect of the coach, players, club and of course, the fans – there’s only one way to do this which is on the football pitch,” Đurić said.
