Nikola Vukčević (footballer, born 1991)

Nikola Vukčević (Montenegrin: Никола Bукчeвић, pronounced [nǐkola ʋǔktʃeʋitɕ]; born 13 December 1991), also known as Điđo (Ђиђо), is a Montenegrin professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder. Vukčević began his professional career with Budućnost. He debuted for the Montenegro national team in 2014.

Nikola Vukčević
Vukčević with Montenegro in 2014
Personal information
Full name Nikola Vukčević
Date of birth (1991-12-13) 13 December 1991 (age 32)
Place of birth Podgorica, SFR Yugoslavia
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Defensive midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2013 Budućnost 65 (4)
2013–2015 Braga B 31 (1)
2014–2018 Braga 76 (4)
2018–2022 Levante 65 (0)
2022–2023 Al-Ahli 17 (0)
International career
2012 Montenegro U21 1 (0)
2014– Montenegro 48 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20 April 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 20 April 2023

Club career edit

Budućnost edit

From 2010 to 2013, Vukčević played for local club Budućnost, where he earned 65 caps and scored four goals. During the 2011–12 season, he emerged as one of the best youngsters in the country, and became Budućnost's captain during their title run. In the following season, Vukčević became the most valuable player in Budućnost squad, starting in 27 out of 33 league matches - the most appearances he made during one season at the time. His good performances earned him a starting spot in Montenegro's U21 selection.

Braga edit

Vukčević left Budućnost as a free agent due to the expiration of his contract. In September 2013, he signed for Braga,[1][2] and initially made appearances for their reserve team.

He made his debut for the club in a 3–0 win against Vitória S.C., coming on as a 91st-minute substitute for Felipe Pardo in the Minho derby.[3] He became a regular substitute on Braga's first squad and would occasionally start in matches of Taça de Portugal and Taça da Liga.

Levante edit

On 9 August 2018, Vukčević moved to Spanish club Levante for a €8.9 million fee and signed a four-year contract.[4][5]

International career edit

In August 2012 he participated in the Valeri Lobanovsky Memorial Tournament 2012, where his team lost in the final to Slovakia on penalties and took home silver medals.[6][7]

Vukčević made his debut against Ghana on 5 March 2014 in a friendly 1–0 win. Though he started the match, Nemanja Nikolić substituted him in the 65th minute.[8] As of 19 October 2020, he has earned a total of 44 caps, scoring 1 goal.[9]

International goals edit

Scores and results list Montenegro's goal tally first.[10]
No Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 8 October 2016 Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica, Montenegro   Kazakhstan 2–0 5–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours edit

Budućnost Podgorica

Braga

References edit

  1. ^ "Vukčević u Bragi". Tv. Archived from the original (via Wayback Machine) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  2. ^ "Nikola Vukcevic é reforço do Sporting de Braga". JN. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  3. ^ "Sporting Braga vs Vitoria S.C." Soccerway. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  4. ^ "Nikola Vukčević and Levante U.D. unite their destinies for at least the next four seasons". Levante UD. 9 August 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  5. ^ "Oficial: Nikola Vukcevic, el fichaje más caro de la historia del Levante" [Official: Nikola Vukcevic, most expensive transfer in Levante's history] (in Spanish). Mundo Deportivo. 9 August 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  6. ^ "Valeri Lobanovsky Memorial Tournament 2012". Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  7. ^ "Belarus 1-2 Montenegro". Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  8. ^ "Montenegro vs Ghana". Soccerway. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  9. ^ "Player Database". eu-football.info. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  10. ^ "Vukčević, Nikola". National Football Teams. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  11. ^ "Summary - First League - Montenegro - Results, fixtures, tables and news". Soccerway.com. Soccerway. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
  12. ^ "Summary - Cup - Montenegro - Results, fixtures, tables and news". Soccerway.com. Soccerway. Retrieved 27 December 2019.

External links edit