Wikipedia

Zoran Rajović

Zoran Rajović (Serbian Cyrillic: Зоран Рајовић; born 28 October 1979) is a Serbian retired professional footballer and coach.

Zoran Rajović
Rajović in 2012
Personal information
Full name Zoran Rajović
Date of birth (1979-10-28) 28 October 1979 (age 44)
Place of birth Vinkovci, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
Vojvodina
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–1999 Vojvodina 1 (0)
1998 → Vrbas (loan) 15 (4)
1999 → Vrbas (loan) 4 (1)
1999–2000 Beroe Stara Zagora 19 (4)
2001 Dalian Shide
2002 Vojvodina 2 (0)
2002–2004 Glasinac Sokolac 52 (27)
2004–2005 Zrinjski Mostar 30 (17)
2005 Ashdod
2005–2006 Hapoel Kfar Saba
2006 Ethnikos Piraeus 8 (0)
2007–2008 Zrinjski Mostar 31 (13)
2008–2009 Hajduk Kula 27 (6)
2009 Olimpik Sarajevo 8 (2)
2010 Diagoras 3 (0)
2010 Leotar 8 (2)
2011 Rudar Prijedor 7 (0)
2011 BEC Tero Sasana
2012 Serbian White Eagles 22 (18)
2013 Yadanarbon
2013–2014 Modriča
2014–2015 Orašje 22 (8)
2015 Mladost Antin 4 (0)
2016 Orašje 7 (2)
2018–2020 Scarborough SC 22 (8)
2021 Serbian White Eagles
International career
1997 FR Yugoslavia U18 1 (0)
Managerial career
2018–2020 Scarborough SC (player-coach)
2021–2022 Serbian White Eagles
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career edit

Early career edit

Born in Vinkovci, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia, Rajović moved to Vojvodina at an early age. He was later sent on loan to Vrbas on two separate occasions.[1] In the summer of 1999, Rajović moved to Bulgaria and joined Beroe Stara Zagora.[2] He scored four league goals in 19 appearances, as the club avoided relegation from the top flight.[2] In 2001, he played in Asia with Dalian Shide F.C. in the Chinese Super League.[3] After a season in East Asia, he returned to the First League of FR Yugoslavia with FK Vojvodina.

Bosnia edit

In 2002, he played in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina with Glasinac Sokolac.[4][5][6] After the relegation of Sokolac, he secured a contract with league rivals Zrinjski Mostar.[7][8] In his debut season with the club, he finished as the Premier League top scorer with 17 goals.[9] He would also help the club secure their first premier league title.[10]

Middle East edit

After his championship season, he originally ventured out to the Middle East to play in the Israeli Premier League with Ashdod.[11] Throughout his time with Ashdod, he would make his first appearance in a continental tournament by participating in the 2005–06 UEFA Cup.[12] However, he would complete the season with league rivals Hapoel Kfar Saba.[13][11]

In 2006, he returned to Europe to play in the Beta Ethniki with Ethnikos Piraeus.[11]

Balkans edit

Following his spells throughout Europe, he returned to his former club Zrinjski Mostar in the winter of 2008.[14] During his second tenure with Zrinjski, he featured in his second continental tournament in matches against Partizan, and FK Rabotnički.[15] He would also assist the club in securing the Bosnian Cup.[14] He would spend the next season in the Serbian SuperLiga with Hajduk Kula.[16]

In the summer of 2009, he was originally linked with a move to Borac Banja Luka but he would ultimately secure a deal with Bosnian side Olimpik Sarajevo.[17][18] After a short stint in the country's capital, he departed during the winter transfer market.[19] He would return to Greece to play in the second division with Diagoras.[20] Shortly after his contract was terminated by the club.[21]

After a brief stint in Greece, he returned to the Bosnian premier league in the summer of 2010 to sign with Leotar.[22] His tenure with Leotar was short-lived as his contract was mutually terminated in the winter of 2011.[23] League rivals Rudar Prijedor would acquire Rajović for the remainder of the season.[24][25] He left Rudar after the conclusion of the season.[26]

Stints abroad edit

In 2011, he returned to Asia to play with BEC Tero Sasana F.C. in the Thai Premier League.[27]

In 2012, Rajović played in the Canadian Soccer League with the Serbian White Eagles.[28][29] In his debut season in the inter-provincial league, he finished the campaign as the club's top goal scorer with 18 goals from 22 appearances.[28] On the club side, he helped the team secure a playoff berth by finishing sixth in the league's first division.[30] In the opening round of the postseason, the western Toronto side defeated SC Toronto.[31] Ultimately, the Serbs would be eliminated from the competition in the semifinal round by rivals Toronto Croatia.[32]

Later career edit

In early 2013, he returned to the Indochina region, where he played in the Myanmar National League with Yadanarbon.[33] For the remainder of the 2013–14 season, he returned to the Bosnian second-tier to sign with Modriča.[34] Following a season with Modriča, he was transferred to Orašje.[35] He would have a brief stint in the regional Croatian circuit with Mladost Antin for the first portion of the 2015–16 season.[36] Rajović returned for the remainder of the campaign to his former club Orašje.[37]

In 2018, he returned to the Canadian circuit to become a player-coach for Scarborough SC.[38] Where he would win the league championship in 2019.[39]

International career edit

At the international level, Rajović was capped for FR Yugoslavia at under-18 level.[40] He also featured in two unofficial matches for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Managerial career edit

In 2018, he was appointed as a player-coach for Scarborough SC in the Canadian Soccer League.[41] In his debut season as a manager, he led the Toronto side to a playoff berth by finishing fourth in the first division. They would defeat Hamilton City in the opening round of the postseason.[42] In the next round, Scarborough successfully defeated FC Ukraine United to qualify for the CSL Championship final.[43] Scarborough would face Vorkuta in the championship finals, where they were defeated in a penalty shootout.[44]

The following season the club finished as runners-up in the division and secured a postseason berth.[45] In the playoffs, Rajović led the eastern Toronto team to the championship finals for the second consecutive season where they defeated Ukraine United.[46][47] In 2020, he secured the club's first divisional title.[48] For the third consecutive time, he led the club to the championship finals where they were defeated by Vorkuta.[49][39]

In 2021, Rajović became the assistant coach for the Serbian White Eagles, and shortly after was promoted to head coach.[50] He helped the team clinch a playoff berth and was eliminated in the first round by his former club Scarborough.[50] He held this position until April 2022.[51]

Personal life edit

He holds Serbian, Croatian, and Bosnian-Herzegovinian passports. His father is former Dinamo Vinkovci player Milorad Rajović. Rajović was the agent of footballer Stefan Mitrović.[52][5]

Honours edit

Player edit

Zrinjski Mostar

Individual

Manager edit

Scarborough SC

References edit

  1. ^ "Statistika odigranih prvenstvenih utakmica i datih golova za FK Vrbas 1969-2007" [Statistics of championship games played and goals scored for FC Vrbas 1969-2007] (in Serbian). fkvrbas.weebly.com. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  2. ^ a b ""Берое в елита": 1999-2000 г. – Завръщането" ["Beroe in the elite": 2000-2001 - Barrage] (in Bulgarian). beroe.bg. 20 May 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  3. ^ "Zoran Rajović". archive.li. 22 February 2013. Archived from the original on 22 February 2013. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  4. ^ Karać, Goran (21 September 2009). "Šipovac novi direktor FK Boraca" [Šipovac is the new director of FC Boraca]. Nezavisne novine (in Serbian). Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Nekada najbolji strijelac Premijer lige otkrio nogometaša kojeg želi pola Evrope" [Once the top scorer of the Premier League discovered the footballer that half of Europe wants]. Sportske.ba (in Bosnian). 8 July 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  6. ^ "FK Glasinac 2003-04". en.eufo.de. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  7. ^ Škorić, E. (21 May 2018). "Pamtite li sve topnike Premijer lige?" [Do you remember all the Premier League Gunners?]. sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  8. ^ "Zrinjski Mostar 2004-05". en.eufo.de. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  9. ^ "Zoran Rajović: Živjet će u nama dok Neretva teče" [Zoran Rajović: He will live in us while the Neretva flows]. hercegovina.info (in Croatian). 27 February 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  10. ^ Krvavac, Fuad (8 May 2005). "Zrinjski make Mostar proud | Inside UEFA". UEFA.com. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  11. ^ a b c "Zoran Rajović: Prvu sezonu u Zrinjskom i danas smatram najboljom" [Zoran Rajović: I still consider the first season in Zrinjski the best]. www.hercegovina.info (in Croatian). 13 January 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  12. ^ "UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup 2005/06 Details". www.rsssf.org. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  13. ^ "Hapoel Kfar Saba 2005-06". en.eufo.de. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  14. ^ a b "Jović okuplja ekipu 22. juna" [Jović gathers the team on June 22]. sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 8 June 2008. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  15. ^ "UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup 2007/08 Details". RSSSF. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  16. ^ "Hajduk Kula 2008-09". en.eufo.de. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  17. ^ Beganović, A. (22 September 2009). "Zoran Rajović na korak do Borca" [Zoran Rajović is one step closer to Borec]. sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  18. ^ Beganović, A. (23 September 2009). "Zoran Rajović potpisao za Olimpik" [Zoran Rajović signed for Olimpik]. sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  19. ^ Beganović, A. (31 January 2010). "Rajović između Slobode i Sarajeva" [Rajović between Sloboda and Sarajevo]. sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  20. ^ "Τριπλή μεταγραφική ενίσχυση για Διαγόρα" [Triple transfer support for Diagoras]. www.contra.gr (in Greek). 20 January 2010. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  21. ^ "Παρελθόν και τυπικά Κορακάκης, Ράγιοβιτς" [Past and typical Korakakis, Rajovic]. www.sport24.gr (in Greek). 25 January 2010. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  22. ^ Banović, D. (9 May 2010). "Zoran Rajović stigao u Leotar" [Zoran Rajović arrived in Leotar]. SportSport.ba (in Bosnian). Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  23. ^ Banović, D. (19 January 2011). "Rajović napustio Leotar" [Rajović left Leotar]. sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  24. ^ Basara, Slavko (27 March 2011). "Zoran Rajović: Nisam pogrešio u izboru kluba" [Zoran Rajović: I did not make a mistake in choosing the club]. Glas Srpske (in Bosnian). Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  25. ^ Banović, D. (28 February 2011). "Zoran Rajović u Rudaru!" [Zoran Rajović in Rudar!]. sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  26. ^ Beganović, A. (4 June 2011). "Jevtić napustio Rudar" [Jevtić left Rudar]. sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  27. ^ Škorić, E. (13 July 2011). "Rajović karijeru nastavlja na Tajlandu" [Rajović continues his career in Thailand]. sportsport.ba (in Croatian). Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  28. ^ a b Adamson, Stan (12 November 2016). "Procession of incoming Talent Key to Success of 2016 Champions….never ending arrivals keep Serbian White Eagles on top". canadiansoccerleague.ca. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  29. ^ "Sve što ste hteli da znate... o kanadskoj CLS ligi" [Everything you wanted to know... about the Canadian CLS League]. Mozzart Sport (in Serbian). 20 July 2012. Archived from the original on 7 March 2019. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  30. ^ "Playoff spot in the balance for Brampton City". Brampton Guardian. 3 October 2012.
  31. ^ Hayakawa, Michael (15 October 2012). "York Shooters in CSL semifinals". Vaughan Citizen.
  32. ^ "Montreal Academy, Toronto Croatia in Championship Final......SC Toronto Reserves and Brampton City Utd Reserves in Second Division final". canadiansoccerleague.com. 21 October 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  33. ^ "Zoran Rajović: Igranje za Zrinjski mi je najdraže u karijeri" [Zoran Rajović: Playing for Zrinjski is my favorite in my career] (in Croatian). hercegovina.info. 22 January 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  34. ^ Jeremic, Sladjan (24 February 2014). "RS-Sport: Stvara se tim za velika dijela" [A team is created for large parts]. RS-Sport. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  35. ^ "Zoran Rajović svrgnuo lidera, Branitelj uzeo bod u Jablanici" [Zoran Rajović overthrew the leader, Branitelj took a point in Jablanica]. Bljesak.info. 23 May 2015. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  36. ^ "Rajović u Orašju - Posavina Sport" [Rajović in Orašje]. www.posavinasport.com (in Croatian). Archived from the original on 14 December 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  37. ^ "Zoran Rajović: Igrao sam u mnogim klubovima ali Zrinjski ostaje najbolji dio moje karijere" [Zoran Rajović: I played in many clubs, but Zrinjski remains the best part of my career]. www.hercegovina.info (in Croatian). 3 November 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  38. ^ Sokolović, A. (5 December 2018). "Zoran Rajović za Radiosarajevo.ba: Moje prijateljstvo s Lukom Modrićem" [Zoran Rajović for Radiosarajevo.ba: My friendship with Luka Modrić]. Radio Sarajevo. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  39. ^ a b Stanchev, Stancho (30 October 2020). "Брежанецът К. Димитров и подопечните му сдадоха титлата в Канада, привикаха на пожар ексорлето Кр. Бибишков, но не го пуснаха на терена" [Brezhanets K. Dimitrov and his wards handed over the title in Canada, summoned the exorcist Kr. Bibishkov, but they did not let him on the field]. Вестник СТРУМА (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  40. ^ Zoran Rajovic at 11v11.com
  41. ^ Stanchev, Stancho (18 June 2018). "Футболен мениджър от Брежани се прицели в титлата в Канадската първа лига" [A football manager from Brezani has set his sights on the Canadian First League title]. Вестник СТРУМА (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  42. ^ Adamson, Stan (30 September 2018). "Waterloo and Scarborough Advance in CSL Championship Playoffs". Canadian Soccer League. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  43. ^ Adamson, Stan (8 October 2018). "Stokiljkovic Winner Puts Scarborough in CSL Championship Final". Canadian Soccer League. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  44. ^ Stanchev, Stancho (18 October 2018). "Прокобата на дузпите отново провали К. Димитров в Канада" [The penalty shootout again failed K. Dimitrov in Canada]. Вестник СТРУМА (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  45. ^ Adamson, Stan (29 September 2019). "Vorkuta Completes Regular Season Unbeaten". Canadian Soccer League. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  46. ^ Adamson, Stan (26 October 2019). "SCARBOROUGH ON TOP…..Vorkuta B wins Second Division Championship – Canadian Soccer League". Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  47. ^ Stanchev, Stancho (28 October 2019). "От Третия Огит! Брежанецът К. Димитров триумфира с шампионската титла в Канада" [FROM THE THIRD EXPERIENCE! Brezhanets K. Dimitrov triumphed with the championship title in Canada]. Вестник Струма (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 5 January 2020.
  48. ^ Stanchev, Stancho (14 October 2020). "К. Димитров-Брежанеца отново спечели редовния сезон на канадската лига" [K. Dimitrov-Brezhanetsa again won the regular season of the Canadian league]. Вестник СТРУМА (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  49. ^ Adamson, Stan (18 October 2020). "Vorkuta Rally for CSL Championship Victory". Canadian Soccer League. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  50. ^ a b Stanchev, Stancho (4 November 2021). "Бивши играчи на "Беласица" и "Литекс" сътвориха голово зрелище в Канада" [Former Belasitsa and Litex players created goal spectacle in Canada]. Вестник СТРУМА (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  51. ^ Vujcic, Djuradj (16 November 2022). "Re-Cap of 2022 Signings". serbianwhiteeagles.ca. Archived from the original on 4 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  52. ^ Ninković, Dušan (24 December 2021). "Crvena zvezda i Partizan žele Stefana Mitrovića" [Zvezda sent an offer, and Partizan is interested.] (in Serbian). Mondo. Retrieved 8 August 2022.

External links edit

 
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