Ilija Spasojević
 Spasojević playing for PSM Makassar |
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ilija Spasojević | ||
| Date of birth | 11 September 1987 | ||
| Place of birth | Bar, SFR Yugoslavia | ||
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Playing position | Striker | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Mitra Kukar | ||
| Number | 87 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2004-2005 | Vojvodina | 1 | (0) |
| 2005-2006 | Sutjeska Nikšić | 17 | (7) |
| 2006-2007 | ČSK Pivara | 18 | (9) |
| 2007-2009 | Dinamo Tbilisi | 61 | (30) |
| 2009 | Borac Čačak | 7 | (0) |
| 2010 | Liepājas Metalurgs | 11 | (6) |
| 2010 | Trikala | 13 | (0) |
| 2011 | Bali Devata | 14 | (8) |
| 2011-2013 | PSM Makassar | 29 | (19) |
| 2013- | Mitra Kukar | 0 | (0) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2002-2004 | FR Yugoslavia U17 | 11 | (6) |
| 2004-2006 | FR Yugoslavia U19 | 13 | (4) |
| 2006-2007 | Serbia-Montenegro U21 | 7 | (3) |
| 2007-2008 | Montenegro U21 | 4 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 13 January 2010. † Appearances (Goals). |
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Ilija "Spaso" Spasojević (born 11 September 1987 in Bar) is a Montenegrin football player who plays for Mitra Kukar in the Indonesian Super League.[1]
Spasojević was a member of Yugoslavia U17, Yugoslavia U19, Serbia-Montenegro U21 and Montenegro U21 national team.
He has often been described as an English style centre forward due to his physical presence and outstanding aerial ability.[2]
Career
Spasojević started his senior career in 2004 at the age of 17 playing for Vojvodina in Serbian SuperLiga, alongside current Fenerbahçe midfielder Miloš Krasić. In July 2005 he moved to Montenegrin legendary club Sutjeska Nikšić where he scored 7 goals from 17 games.
In July 2006 Spasojević decided to come back to Serbian football, this time it was to ČSK Pivara where he scored 9 goals from 18 games.
In January 2007 Spasojević signed for ex-UEFA Cup Winners' Cup winner (1981), Dinamo Tbilisi from Georgia. While he was playing for Dinamo Tbilisi he scored 30 goals from 61 games in Georgian League and Georgian Cup.[3] He became the first foreign topscorer in the history of Dinamo Tbilisi and earned himself a nickname Spasogoal[4] from Georgian sports media. During his stay in Dinamo Tbilisi Spasojević won the Georgian League, Georgian Cup and Georgian Super Cup, and make his debut in UEFA Champions League qualifications, 30 July 2008 against Panathinaikos FC.
In July 2009 he was close to sign a contract with Bundesliga club Arminia Bielefeld,[5] but transfer failed due to financial disagreement. Red Star Belgrade also showed interest in singing him,[6] but on 31 August 2009 Spasojević finally approached to Borac Čačak in the Serbian SuperLiga.
On 30 March 2010 Spasojević transferred to Latvian champions Liepājas Metalurgs and for short time in Latvia he scored 6 goals from 11 games played in Latvian League and Latvian Cup.
On 10 September 2010 he was on the move once again, this time it was to Trikala in Football League Greece. While he was playing in Greece, Spasojević was unhappy with lack of first team football and decided to leave the club after only 3 months. That shows up to be a good decision, since Trikala were found guilty of forgery only a few months later, and although Trikala finished the season 2010/2011 in fourth place and became eligible for the promotion playoffs to Superleague Greece, after the conclusion of the season they were expelled even from Football League Greece.
Career in Indonesia
On 1 January 2011 Spasojević arrived in Indonesia and sign a contract with Bali Devata, where he soon became a key player by scoring 8 goals in first half-season of Liga Primer Indonesia. He also scored two goals in friendly game played on 23 August 2011 in Gelora 10 November Stadium against Indonesia U-23 national team, although Bali Devata was defeated 2:4 in that match.[7]
From October 2011 he is playing for PSM Makassar in the Indonesian Premier League. On 23 January 2012 it was reported that Italian Serie B club Brescia Calcio wants to sign him,[8] but PSM Makassar refused the offer few days later.[9] His first season 2011/2012 with PSM Makassar he finished as club topscorer by scoring 14 goals, 10 goals in the Indonesian Premier League and 4 goals in the Indonesian Cup,[10] and he was selected by Goal.com in the best team of the season 2011/2012 in Indonesia.[11]
As a reward for the great season Spasojevic was invited by the Indonesian Premier League boards to play alongside Barcelona football star Cesc Fàbregas in charity game between Indonesian national team and "Fabregas and friends".[12] The game took place in Jakarta on 5 July 2012 and was finished by draw result 1:1. Spasojevic scored class goal[13] for "Fabregas and friends" after great assist from Cesc Fàbregas, who visited Indonesia only a few days after winning Euro 2012 with Spain.
After two seasons played in Indonesia Spasojevic already gained large popularity in that country and there are already rumors about him getting Indonesian passport and playing for Indonesian national team in the future.[14]
International career
Ilija Spasojević was a member of Yugoslavia U17, Yugoslavia U19 and Serbia-Montenegro U21. In 2006, Montenegrins voted on an independence referendum and Serbia and Montenegro became independent countries. Spasojević himself being Montenegrin, decided to play for Montenegro U21 national team.
References
- ^ "Ilija Spasojevic highlights - PSM Makassar".
- ^ "Spasojevic Berobsesi Jadi Top Skorer".
- ^ "Ilija Spasojevic highlights - FC Dinamo Tbilisi".
- ^ "Ilija Spasojevic - Spasogoal".
- ^ "Spasojevic replacing Wichniarek at Arminia Bielefeld?". Bild.
- ^ "Red Star: Spasojevic targeted".
- ^ "U-23 National team conquer Bali Devata".
- ^ "Brescia interested in Ilija Spasojevic".
- ^ "Ilija Spasojevic is staying at PSM".
- ^ "Spasojevic rejects Thai approach".
- ^ "The best team of season 2011/2012 in Indonesia". Goal.com.
- ^ "Fabregas impressed by goal of Spasojevic".
- ^ "Spasojevic scores after Fabregas assist".
- ^ "Spasojevic will be naturalized?".
