Radosav Petrović

Radosav Petrović (Serbian Cyrillic: Радосав Петровић, pronounced [rǎdosaʋ pětroʋitɕ]; born 8 March 1989) is a Serbian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Cypriot First Division club APOEL. He represented Serbia at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Radosav Petrović

Petrović with Blackburn Rovers in 2012
Personal information
Full name	Radosav Petrović
Date of birth	(1989-03-08) 8 March 1989 (age 35)
Place of birth	Ub, SR Serbia, SFR Yugoslavia
Height	1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)[1]
Position(s)	Defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team	APOEL
Number	3
Youth career
1995–2006	Jedinstvo Ub
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2006–2007	Jedinstvo Ub	16	(0)
2007–2008	Radnički Obrenovac	25	(1)
2008–2011	Partizan	70	(17)
2011–2012	Blackburn Rovers	19	(0)
2012–2015	Gençlerbirliği	77	(7)
2015–2016	Dynamo Kyiv	7	(1)
2016–2019	Sporting CP	16	(0)
2016–2017	→ Rio Ave (loan)	13	(0)
2019–2021	Almería	55	(1)
2021–2023	Zaragoza	37	(1)
2023	Ordabasy	11	(0)
2023–	APOEL	36	(1)
International career‡
2009–2015	Serbia	44	(2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 2 November 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 28 August 2018

Club career

Early career

Petrović began playing football at his hometown club Jedinstvo Ub (where he gained the nickname Raća) and he played there for all youth ranks of the club, before making his senior debut during the 2006–07 season. After only a year of senior football for Jedinstvo, he moved to Radnički Obrenovac.

Partizan

2008–09 season

On 20 June 2008, Petrović completed a move to Partizan from Radnički Obrenovac. He signed a five-year contract and was given the number 20 shirt for Partizan.^[2] Petrović made his official debut for the club in a UEFA Champions League qualifier against Inter Baku on 6 August 2008, a game which Partizan won 2–0. On 21 May 2009, he scored his first goal for Partizan in a 3–0 Serbian Cup final match win over Sevojno. He also scored against Čukarički Stankom in the final Serbian SuperLiga game of the season.

2009–10 season

After the departure of Juca to Deportivo La Coruña, Petrović was given the number 8 shirt. He featured in total of 24 league matches and scored 7 goals in Partizan's title-winning campaign. His most notable moment of the season was a fantastic goal for a 1–0 win against cross-town rivals Crvena zvezda.^[3] He was also named in the 2009–10 Serbian SuperLiga Team of the Year.

2010–11 season

On 10 April 2011, Petrović made his 100th competitive match for Partizan and marked his jubilee with a goal from the penalty kick against Spartak Subotica. He was named in the Serbian SuperLiga Team of the Year for the second season in a row.

On 30 June 2011, SBV Vitesse announced on their official website that Petrović was on the way to move to the Netherlands.^[4] On the same day, Partizan confirmed the transfer with statement that Petrović would sign a five-year contract.^[5] However, few days later appeared information that the transfer failed due to problems with the amount of compensation to the player's agent.^[6]

Blackburn Rovers

On 24 July 2011, Serbian media revealed possible interest in Petrović from English Premier League (at the time) team Blackburn Rovers.^[7] The following day it was confirmed by Partizan that Rovers had bid for the young Serbian midfielder.^[8] It was later confirmed by Partizan that Petrović had been left behind from the club travelling to a pre-season tour ready for travelling to England to discuss personal terms when an offer was accepted.^[9] On 27 July it was reported that a fee had been agreed between Partizan and Rovers.^[10] On 26 July it was revealed that Petrović had arrived in England to undertake a medical.^[11] On 9 August 2011, a work permit was obtained and Petrović officially joined Blackburn Rovers.^[12] Petrović's full home-debut for the club was against Sheffield Wednesday on 24 August 2011 in the League Cup second round, in a game which Rovers won 3–1.^[13]

Gençlerbirliği

On 22 August 2012, Petrović signed for Turkish club Gençlerbirliği for an undisclosed fee.^[14]

Dynamo Kyiv

On 26 May 2015, Petrović signed a 5-year contract with the Ukrainian champions Dynamo Kyiv, joining them as a free agent. On 19 July 2015, Petrović made his first official debut for Dynamo in a 2–1 win against FC Stal in the Ukrainian Premier League. On 4 December 2015, Petrović scored his first goal for Dynamo in a 0–6 win against Metalurh Zaporizhzhia in the Ukrainian Premier League.

Sporting CP

On 14 June 2016, Petrović signed a 4-year contract with Portuguese club Sporting CP. He was loaned to Rio Ave the following year and played 13 games for them. Petrović finally made his league debut for Sporting as a second half substitute in a 2–1 win over Estoril.

On 15 May 2018, Petrović and several of his teammates, including coaches, were injured following an attack by around 50 supporters of Sporting at the club's training ground after the team finished third in the league and missed out on the UEFA Champions League qualification.^[15][16] Despite the events, he and the rest of the team agreed to play in the Portuguese Cup final scheduled for the following weekend,^[17] eventually losing to C.D. Aves.

Almería

On 19 August 2019, Petrović signed a three-year deal with Segunda División side UD Almería.^[18] He was a regular starter for the club as they missed out promotion in the play-offs twice.

On 10 August 2021, Petrović terminated his contract with the Andalusians.^[19]

Zaragoza

Hours after leaving Almería, Petrović signed a two-year contract with Real Zaragoza also in the Spanish second division.^[20] On 31 January 2023, he terminated his contract with the club.^[21]

International career

Petrović made his international debut for the Serbia U21 squad in the first leg of the 2009 European Championship qualifying play-offs against Denmark U21 on 11 October 2008.

He made his debut for the Serbia national team against South Africa on 12 August 2009.

On 1 June 2010, Petrović was named in the final 23-man squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup,^[22] where he appeared in group stage victory against Germany.

Career statistics

Club

As of 2 November 2024^[23]

Club	Season	League		Cup		League Cup		Europe		Other		Total
		Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Jedinstvo Ub	2006–07	16	0	?	?	–		0	0	0	0	16	0
Radnički Obrenovac	2007–08	25	1	?	?	–		0	0	0	0	25	1
Partizan	2008–09	21	1	3	1	–		6	0	0	0	30	2
	2009–10	24	7	2	1	–		10	1	0	0	36	9
	2010–11	25	9	5	0	–		11	0	0	0	41	9
	Total	70	17	10	2	–		27	1	0	0	107	20
Blackburn Rovers	2011–12	19	0	1	0	4	0	0	0	0	0	24	0
Gençlerbirliği	2012–13	27	3	2	0	–		0	0	0	0	29	3
	2013–14	22	2	0	0	–		0	0	0	0	22	2
	2014–15	28	2	5	3	–		0	0	0	0	33	5
	Total	77	7	7	3	–		0	0	0	0	84	10
Dynamo Kyiv	2015–16	7	1	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	12	1
Sporting CP	2016–17	0	0	1	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	3	0
	2017–18	5	0	3	0	1	0	4	0	0	0	13	0
	2018–19	11	0	4	0	3	0	5	0	0	0	23	0
	Total	16	0	8	0	5	0	10	0	0	0	39	0
Rio Ave (loan)	2016–17	13	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	13	0
Almería	2019–20	28	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	28	1
	2020–21	27	0	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	31	0
	Total	55	1	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	59	1
Zaragoza	2021–22	28	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	29	1
	2022–23	9	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	9	0
	Total	37	1	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	38	1
FC Ordabasy	2023	11	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	11	0
APOEL	2023–24	31	1	1	0	0	0	6	0	0	0	38	1
	2024–25	5	0	1	0	0	0	6	0	0	0	5	0
Career total		382	29	37	5	9	0	43	1	0	0	470	35

International

As of match played 13 November 2015^[24]

Serbia national team
Year	Apps	Goals
2009	4	0
2010	9	0
2011	12	1
2012	3	0
2013	9	0
2014	3	1
2015	4	0
Total	44	2

International goals

Scores and results list Serbia's goal tally first.^[24]

#	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	3 June 2011	Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul	South Korea	1–2	1–2	Friendly
2.	18 November 2014	Perivolia Municipal Stadium, Chania	Greece	1–0	2–0	Friendly

Honours

Club

Partizan

• Serbian SuperLiga (3): 2009, 2010, 2011
• Serbian Cup (2): 2009, 2011

Dynamo Kyiv

• Ukrainian Premier League: 2015–16

Sporting

• Taça da Liga : 2017–18, 2018–19
• Taça de Portugal : 2018–19

Individual

• Serbian SuperLiga Team of the Season (2): 2009–10, 2010–11

References

1. "Radosav Petrović" (in Spanish). Real Zaragoza. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
2. "Petrović nova akvizicija Partizana!" (in Serbian). partizan.rs. 20 June 2008. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
3. "Partizan pobedio Zvezdu sa 1:0 i pobegao na "+4"!" (in Serbian). blic.rs. 8 May 2010. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
4. "Radosav Petrovic op weg naar Vitesse" (in Dutch). vitesse.nl. 30 June 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
5. "Petrović u Viteseu!" (in Serbian). partizan.rs. 30 June 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
6. "Propao transfer Petrovića u Vitese!?" (in Serbian). vesti-online.com. 5 July 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
7. "Blackburn in Petrovic link – Rovers reported to be team bidding for Serbian". Sky Sports. 24 July 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
8. "Rovers move for Serbia ace – Blackburn in talks with Partizan over 22-year-old midfielder". Sky Sports. 25 July 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
9. "Partizan leave Petrović behind for Rovers talks". partizan.rs. 25 July 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
10. "Petrovic fee accepted as Blackburn Rovers close in on Serbian". Lancashire Telegraph. 27 July 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
11. "Petrovic having medical at Blackburn Rovers". Lancashire Telegraph. 27 July 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
12. "Blackburn Rovers sign Serbia midfielder Radosav Petrovic". BBC Sport. 9 August 2011. Retrieved 9 August 2011.
13. "Blackburn vs Sheffield Wed – Petrovic Home Debut". Blackburn Rovers F.C. 24 August 2011. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
14. "Rado departs for Turkey". Blackburn Rovers F.C. 22 August 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
15. "19 jogadores do Sporting contam tudo sobre o ataque a Alcochete (e como Palhinha protegeu Montero)" [19 Sporting players tell everything about the attack at Alcochete (and how Palinha protected Montero)]. MSN Desporto (in Portuguese). 23 May 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
16. Kiley, Ben (15 May 2018). "Sporting Lisbon players attacked at training ground after failing to secure Champions League spot". Sports Joe. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
17. "Sporting Lisbon: Players agree to play Portuguese Cup final after attack". BBC Sport. 16 May 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
18. "Radosav Petrovic, un gran refuerzo para la UD Almería" [Radosav Petrovic, a great addition for UD Almería] (in Spanish). UD Almería. 19 August 2019. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
19. "El Almería y Petrovic llegan a un acuerdo para rescindir el contrato" [Almería and Petrovic reach an agreement to rescind the contract] (in Spanish). UD Almería. 10 August 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
20. "El Real Zaragoza incorpora al medio centro Radosav Petrovic" [Real Zaragoza sign central midfielder Radosav Petrovic] (in Spanish). Real Zaragoza. 10 August 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
21. "Finaliza la relación contractual con Radosav Petrovic" [Ends the contractual relationship with Radosav Petrovic] (in Spanish). Real Zaragoza. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
22. "Serbia cut Brkic". FIFA. 1 June 2010. Archived from the original on 11 November 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2010.
23. "R.Petrović". Soccerway. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
24. Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Radosav Petrović". National Football Teams. Retrieved 20 April 2020.

External links

• Radosav Petrović – FIFA competition record (archived)
• Radosav Petrović – UEFA competition record (archive)