Dragan Ćirić

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)
Playing position 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 FR Yugoslavia 4 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Dragan Ćirić (Serbian Cyrillic: Драган Ћирић; born 15 September 1974) is a Serbian former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder.

Club career

After starting out at local club FK Srem Jakovo,[1] Belgrade-born Ćirić finished his development at FK 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, being captain in 1996–97.

In July 1997, Ćirić was transferred to FC Barcelona on a four-year deal, playing 35 games across all competitions in his debut campaign in an eventual treble conquest of La Liga, Copa del Rey and UEFA Super Cup. After losing his spot in the lineup[2] he was loaned to Greek side AEK Athens F.C. 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.[3][4]

In June 2004, Ćirić returned to Partizan, signing a three-year contract.[5] He helped the club win the national league in his comeback season with an unbeaten record,[6] retiring shortly after at the age of 31.

In December 2014, Ćirić was named director of football at Partizan.[7] He left the position less than two months later, citing dissatisfaction with the state of Serbian football as the main reason for his decision.[8]

International career

Ćirić was capped four times for FR 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.

Career statistics

International

National teamYearAppsGoals
FR Yugoslavia 199520
199600
199720
Total40

Honours

Partizan
Barcelona
AEK Athens

References

  1. ↑ "Radanović: Ćirić je rođen za fudbal" [Radanović: Ciric was born for football]. Politika (in Serbian). 10 January 2015. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  2. ↑ "Los grandes 'pufos' de la Liga española" [The great 'flops' of the Spanish League]. Marca (in Spanish). 13 August 2009. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  3. ↑ "Barcelona sell Dehu and Ciric". ESPN FC. 4 July 2000. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  4. ↑ "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.
  5. ↑ "Potpisali Ćirić i Marinković" [Ćirić and Marinković signed] (in Serbian). FK Partizan. 24 June 2004. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  6. ↑ "Unbeaten Partizan take title". UEFA.com. 17 May 2005. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  7. ↑ "Dragan Ćirić novi sportski direktor Partizana" [Dragan Ćirić new sporting director of Partizan] (in Serbian). FK Partizan. 26 December 2014. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  8. ↑ "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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