Milan Borjan

Milan Borjan (Serbian Cyrillic: Милан Борјан, pronounced [mǐlan bǒrjan]; born 23 October 1987) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Serbian club Red Star Belgrade and the Canadian national team.

Milan Borjan
Borjan with Red Star Belgrade in 2018
Personal information
Full name Milan Borjan[1]
Date of birth (1987-10-23) 23 October 1987
Place of birth Knin, SR Croatia,
SFR Yugoslavia
Height 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)[2]
Playing position(s) Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 Red Star Belgrade
Number 82
Youth career
Dinara Knin[3]
Radnički Jugopetrol
Mount Hamilton
2006 Nacional Montevideo
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008 Quilmes 0 (0)
2009–2011 Rad 36 (0)
2011–2014 Sivasspor 43 (0)
2012 → Vaslui (loan) 16 (0)
2014 Ludogorets Razgrad 2 (0)
2015 Radnički Niš 15 (0)
2015–2017 Ludogorets Razgrad 16 (0)
2017 → Korona Kielce (loan) 14 (0)
2017– Red Star Belgrade 89 (0)
National team‡
2011– Canada 49 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 14 August 2020
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 15 December 2019

Club career

Early years

Borjan was born in Knin, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia to ethnic Serb parents, father Boško (a former goalkeeper himself) and mother Mirjana (a hairdresser). He lived in Knin until Operation Storm.[4] He found refuge in Belgrade where he began playing football with FK Radnički Beograd before emigrating with his family in 2000 to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada where his family still resides.[4] He then went on trial with Boca Juniors but eventually failed to sign a contract with the club.[5] In 2006, he had a spell in Uruguay with Club Nacional de Football from Montevideo, where he played for their youth team.[5] In July 2007, he went on trial to Argentinian side River Plate.[6] In January 2008, he joined Quilmes.[7] He left the club after the end of the 2007–08 Primera B Nacional season.[8]

Rad

After several years in South America, in January 2009 he returned to Serbia and signed with SuperLiga club FK Rad from Belgrade.[9] Borjan had trouble breaking into the first team since he was the 3rd string keeper from the first day signing with the team. However, due to the starters trouble with work permits and the second strings injury it left Milan has the only available keeper on the roster. Milan made his debut on 16 August 2009 in a 3–2 victory over FK Smederevo. Milan continued to impress at every given opportunity and by Fall of 2010 Milan had taken hold of the starting spot with an unbeaten streak of nine games.[10] Borjan proved to be one of the top keepers in Serbian SuperLiga taking FK Rad to fourth in the league with 52 points gaining them a berth in the 2011–12 UEFA Europa League Qualifying Round.[11]

Sivasspor
Milan Borjan with Sivasspor.

Following the 2011 Gold Cup and much speculation Borjan completed a move to Sivasspor, for an undisclosed fee.[12] Borjan made his debut in Turkey on 11 September in a 2–1 loss against Karabükspor.[13] After becoming the regular keeper Borjan had several impressive results including a clean sheet against Fenerbahçe. On 27 November during a 2–1 loss to Galatasaray Borjan was headbutted by Engin Baytar, who was shown a red card in the 81st minute.[14]

After returning from a successful stint in Romania, Borjan made his return to the starting line up in the 3rd match of the 2012/13 season, in a 0–0 draw against Fenerbahçe on 2 September.[15] In early February 2014 Borjan's contract with Sivasspor was terminated following a decrease in playing time under new manager Roberto Carlos.[16] Following the termination reports emerged from Italy and Serbia that a deal had been put in place to join Napoli in June since the Turkish Football Association blocked a January move.[16][17]

Loan to Vaslui

Following a lack of playing time in Turkey in late February it was announced that Borjan had been loaned to Romanian first division side Vaslui, that deal will keep him in Romania until the end of the season with an option to purchase the player for an undisclosed transfer fee.[18] After joining the club on loan Borjan took the starting keeping position immediately and started the remaining 16 league games with 7 clean sheets, he was able to help Vaslui secure second place in the league guaranteeing them a spot in UEFA Champions League.[19]

Ludogorets Razgrad

On 12 September 2014, he reportedly signed for Bosnian Premier League club FK Sarajevo as a free agent, but at the last minute accepted an offer from Bulgarian club Ludogorets Razgrad who qualified for the 2014-15 UEFA Champions League group stage.[20] Four days after signing Borjan made his club debut in the Champions League in a 2-1 away defeat to Liverpool. This was the first time that a Canadian international played in the group stage of the competition since Lars Hirschfeld played with Rosenborg in 2007.[21] Although Ludogorets had equalised in added time, Borjan then gave away a penalty with a foul on Javi Manquillo, which Steven Gerrard converted to give Liverpool the victory.[22] Borjan was released by Ludogorets Razgrad, after Razgrad secured first-choice goalkeeper Vladislav Stoyanov till the summer of 2015.[23]

Radnički Niš

On 15 February 2015, Borjan signed a one-year contract with Serbian SuperLiga club FK Radnički Niš,[24] spurning interest from FK Sarajevo of the Bosnian Premier League.[25] At Radnički he did not count as a foreigner due to him holding a Serbian passport.[26] Borjan made his debut for his new club against Red Star Belgrade in a 0-0 draw on 23 February.[27] Borjan earned three straight clean sheets to start his time with the club.

Return to Razgrad

After an excellent season in the Serbian SuperLiga, Borjan turned down a contract to return to FK Radnički Niš, instead opting to make a return to the Bulgarian A Football Group club of Ludogorets, where he signed a three-year deal on 2 June 2015.[28] He remained the second choice goalkeeper for the team, but started featuring prominently after Vladislav Stoyanov sustained a serious injury.

Loan to Korona Kielce

On 15 February 2017, Borjan joined the Ekstraklasa club Korona Kielce on a loan deal until the end of the season.[29] Playing for the club, Borjan made 14 league appearances, keeping 5 clean sheets.[30]

Red Star Belgrade

Borjan was first linked with a transfer to Serbian SuperLiga club Red Star Belgrade in July 2014.[31] Three years later, on 24 July 2017, Borjan was transferred to Red Star Belgrade, replacing young Filip Manojlović, who was transferred to Getafe CF previously. Borjan signed a three-year contract with his new club, choosing to wear jersey number 82.[32] He made his debut in the first leg of the third qualifying round for 2017–18 UEFA Europa League, keeping a clean sheet in home victory against Sparta Prague on 27 July 2017.[33] Borjan played his first eternal derby on 27 August 2017.[34] In his second season with the club, Borjan would help Red Star qualify for the 2018–19 Champions League, and would earn a clean sheet in the group stage opener against Napoli and in a 2–0 home win against Liverpool.[35][36]

In February 2019, Zvezdan Terzić announced Borjan would sign a contract extension until 2023 and would finish his career after that. Shortly after, Borjan would be honoured by Red Star as the club athlete of the year.[37]

International career
Milan Borjan with the Canadian national team.

In November 2010, after strong performances with Rad in the Serbian SuperLiga, Borjan accepted the call from Canadian FA to debut for their main national team.[38] On 3 February 2011, he was called up to the Canadian senior team for their friendly against Greece on 9 February.[39] Borjan made his debut for Canada in the friendly against Greece played in Larissa. The game ended in a 1–0 loss. Borjan was one of three Canadian players to make their international senior debut against Greece. Tosaint Ricketts and David Edgar were the other two.[40] That summer, Borjan was called up to the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup roster, his first ever international tournament participation. He played his first national team game on home soil at BMO Field on 1 June 2011, during a friendly against Ecuador that ended as a 2–2 draw. Borjan made his Gold Cup debut on 11 June 2011 in a 1–0 victory over Guadeloupe at Raymond James Stadium.[41]

On 12 June 2012, due to the suspension of first choice goalkeeper Lars Hirschfeld, Borjan started in the 0:0 home draw with Honduras in a 2014 World Cup qualifier. Since the end of 2012, Borjan has emerged as Canada's starting goalkeeper. He was the starter for Canada at the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup and backstopped Canada to their first win since 2012 against Jamaica on 9 September 2014 in a 3-1 victory.[42] Borjan earned his first red card for Canada on 11 June 2015 when he handled the ball outside of the box against Dominica after a mistake from Julian de Guzman in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match.[43] On 6 June 2017, Borjan was named to the 40-man preliminary squad for the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup.[44] He was named to the final 23-man squad for the tournament on June 27.[45] On 30 May 2019, Borjan was named to the final squad for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup.[46]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 18 August 2020[30]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club League Season League League Cup Domestic Cup Continental Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Rad SuperLiga 2009–10 130—0000130
2010–11 230—0000230
Total 360—0000360
Sivasspor Süper Lig 2011–12 100—0000100
2012–13 290—8000370
2013–14 40—500090
Total 430—13000560
Vaslui (loan) Liga I 2011–12 160003000190
Ludogorets Razgrad First League 2014–15 20—101040
2015–16 90—000090
2016–17 70—2010100
Total 180—3020230
Radnički Niš SuperLiga 2014–15 150—0000150
Ludogorets Razgrad II Second League 2015–16 20—000020
Korona Kielce (loan) Ekstraklasa 2016–17 140—0000140
Red Star Belgrade SuperLiga 2017–18 310—30120460
2018–19 280—40140460
2019–20 260—20140420
2020–21 40—001050
Total 890—904101390
Career Totals 2330002804303040

International
As of 15 November 2019[47]
Canada
YearAppsGoals
201150
201240
201370
201440
201570
201650
201750
201830
201990
Total490

Personal life

Borjan is married to Snežana (née Filipović), a former marketing director of FK Partizan.[48][49]

Honours

Club
Ludogorets
  • Bulgarian First League: 2014–15, 2015–16[30]
Red Star Belgrade

Individual
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References
  1. "40-Player National Team Roster: 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup: Canada" (PDF). CONCACAF. p. 2. Retrieved 20 May 2019 – via Bernews.
  2. "Milan Borjan". canadasoccer.com. Canadian Soccer Association. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
  3. SportKlub (25 December 2017). "Borjan, Knin i Zvezda - ima neka tajna veza" (in Serbian). Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  4. The Globe and Mail (24 August 2012). "Milan Borjan happy to pay his dues". Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  5. "Arquero serbio en la cuarta division". futbol.com.uy. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  6. Ole.com.ar (28 July 2007). "Ataja en todos los idiomas" (in Spanish). Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  7. "Con calor y con Batalla". elsolnoticias.com. Archived from the original on 7 September 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  8. "Quilmes vuelve al trabajo en una semana donde habrá novedades". perspectivasur.com. Archived from the original on 7 September 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  9. B92 Sport (18 September 2012). "Borjan za B92: Kanada može na SP" (in Serbian). Retrieved 19 September 2012.
  10. Borjan grateful for opportunity Canada presents Archived 25 February 2011 at the Wayback Machine; Red Nation, 24 January 2011
  11. Canadian Exports: Hoilett helps keep Blackburn from drop; Major League Soccer, 23 May 2011
  12. Milan Borjan u Sivasporu Archived 29 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine; FK Rad, 23 June 2011
  13. Shelton scores on debut in Turkey Archived 19 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine; Jamaica Observer, 12 September 2011
  14. "Lions can also have 9 lives: Galatasaray Lions subdue Sivas with 9 men at Arena". mlssoccer.com. Sunday's Zaman. 27 November 2011. Archived from the original on 4 October 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2011.
  15. "Sivas'ta kör dövüşü!". sporx.com.
  16. "Milan Borjan linked with Napoli of Serie A". rednationonline.ca.
  17. "Milan Borjan ipak ne ide u Napoli". B92.net.
  18. "Borjan positive on loan to FC Vaslui". 23 February 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  19. "Across the Pong: May 21, 2012". 23 May 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2012.
  20. "Ništa od dolaska na Koševo: Borjan ide u Ludogorets: September 12, 2014". 12 September 2014. Archived from the original on 13 September 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  21. "Milan Borjan set to face Liverpool in Champions League". 16 September 2014. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
  22. "Liverpool 2-1 Ludo Razgd". BBC Sport. 16 September 2014. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
  23. "Милан Борян си тръгна от Лудогорец". sportal.bg (in Bulgarian). Sportal. 21 January 2015. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  24. "Nišlije se baš pojačale". 15 February 2015.
  25. "Ništa od Sarajeva: Borjan potpisao za Radnički iz Niša". sportsport.ba. 15 February 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  26. Radnički dobio veliko pojačanje na golu, Borjan godinu dana u Nišu Archived 16 February 2015 at the Wayback Machine at FK Radnički Niš official website, 15-2-2015 (in Serbian)
  27. "Звезда однела бод са "Чаира"". 23 February 2015. Archived from the original on 23 February 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  28. "Borjan u starom jatu". 2 June 2015.
  29. "Milan Borjan piłkarzem Korony!". Korona Kielce. Archived from the original on 16 February 2017. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  30. "Milan Borjan profile". Soccerway.
  31. RedNation Online (25 July 2014). "Milan Borjan to join Wigan Athletic?". Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  32. "Predstavljen Milan Borjan". Red Star Belgrade official website (in Serbian). Red Star Belgrade. 24 July 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  33. Црвена звезда - Спарта Праг 2:0 (1:0). Red Star Belgrade official website (in Serbian). 27 July 2017. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  34. "KRAJ: Crvena zvezda – Partizan 0:0 (VIDEO)". mozzartsport.com (in Serbian). 27 August 2017. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
  35. "Red Star hold Napoli on Champions League debut". The New Star. 20 September 2018.
  36. "C Zvezda 2-0 Liverpool - Match Report & Highlights". skysports.com. Sky UK. 6 November 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  37. Canadian Press (5 March 2019). "Canadian international goalkeeper Milan Borjan honoured by Red Star Belgrade". National Post.
  38. Srbin iz Superlige na golu Kanade!; mondo.rs, 23 November 2010 (in Serbian)
  39. Canada announces roster for Greece friendly Archived 9 March 2011 at the Wayback Machine; Canadasoccer.com, 3 February 2011
  40. Canada vs. Greece stats Archived 8 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine; Canadasoccer.com, 9 February 2011
  41. Canada edges Guadeloupe Archived 9 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine; Calgary Herald, 12 June 2011
  42. Bedakian, Armen (9 September 2014). "Canada 3, Jamaica 1 - International Friendly Match Recap".
  43. "Dominica 0, Canada 2 - World Cup Qualifying Match Recap". 11 June 2015.
  44. "Canada Soccer releases 40-man Provisional List for CONCACAF Gold Cup". 6 June 2016.
  45. Zeitlin, Dave (27 June 2017). "Canada names nine MLS players to 23-man CONCACAF Gold Cup roster".
  46. "Together We Rise: Canada Soccer announces squad for the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup". 30 May 2019.
  47. "Milan Borjan". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman.
  48. "Топла връзка между Лудогорец и Партизан (СНИМКА). Канадският страж призна любовта си" (in Bulgarian). topsport.bg. 7 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  49. "Udaje se direktorka Partizana: Snežana Filipović postaje gospođa Borjan!". mozzartsport.com (in Serbian). 26 September 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
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