Nikola Đurđić

Nikola Đurđić (Serbian Cyrillic: Никола Ђурђић; born 1 April 1986) is a Serbian professional footballer who plays as a striker or as an attacking midfielder for Chengdu Better City in China League Two.

Nikola Đurđić

Đurđić with Hammarby IF in 2018
Personal information
Full name	Nikola Đurđić
Date of birth	(1986-04-01) 1 April 1986
Place of birth	Pirot, SFR Yugoslavia
Height	1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position(s)	Striker
Club information
Current team	Chengdu Better City
Youth career
	Radnički Pirot
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2004–2006	Radnički Pirot	30	(6)
2006–2008	Voždovac	63	(15)
2009–2012	Haugesund	97	(46)
2012	→ Helsingborg (loan)	11	(10)
2013–2014	Greuther Fürth	30	(9)
2014–2016	FC Augsburg	16	(1)
2015	→ Malmö FF (loan)	12	(5)
2016	→ Fortuna Düsseldorf (loan)	12	(2)
2016	Partizan	13	(1)
2017–2018	Randers	26	(3)
2018–2019	Hammarby IF	54	(26)
2020–	Chengdu Better City	0	(0)
National team
2007	Serbia U21	5	(1)
2013	Serbia	1	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 24 January 2020

Club career

Early years

Đurđić started out at his hometown club Radnički Pirot, making his senior debut in 2004. He subsequently moved to Voždovac in the summer of 2006. In his debut season with the Zmajevi, Đurđić was the club's top scorer with 10 league goals, as they suffered relegation from the top flight of Serbian football. He spent another year and a half at the club, before moving abroad in the 2009 winter transfer window.

Haugesund

In March 2009, Đurđić joined Norwegian side Haugesund on a three-year deal.[1] He scored 10 league goals in his first season at the club, as they gained promotion to the Tippeligaen. In the following three seasons, Đurđić scored 36 league goals (12 each season). He scored a total of 57 goals during his tenure at Haugesund (including 11 cup goals).

Loan to Helsingborg

In August 2012, Đurđić was loaned to Swedish club Helsingborg. He joined them ahead of their 2012–13 UEFA Champions League qualifying tie against Celtic.[2] The original contract was to last until 15 January 2013 and included an option to purchase if desired. As well as signing this loan contract, Đurđić also extended his contract with Haugesund lasting until the end of 2014.

Until the end of the 2012 season, Đurđić scored 10 league goals from 11 appearances for Helsingborg. He also netted four goals in Group L of the 2012–13 UEFA Europa League, as the club finished in third place. On 4 October 2012, Đurđić scored a brace in a 2–2 home draw with Twente.[3] He subsequently scored his side's first goal in a 2–3 away loss against Hannover 96.[4] On 6 December 2012, Đurđić netted the opener in his team's 3–1 away win over Twente.[5]

SpVgg Greuther Fürth

Đurđić with Greuther Fürth in 2013

On 1 January 2013, Đurđić officially moved to SpVgg Greuther Fürth on a three-and-a-half-year deal. He made his debut for the club on 26 January 2013, coming on as a substitute in a 0–3 home league loss to Mainz 05. On 2 February 2013, in his second Bundesliga game, Đurđić provided an assist to Felix Klaus and also scored an injury time winner away at Schalke 04.[6] He netted a total of five league goals until the end of the 2012–13 season, as the club finished bottom of the table and suffered relegation to the 2. Bundesliga.

After scoring a goal in the team's opener of the 2013–14 campaign, Đurđić torn his ACL in the league's third round, causing him to miss the majority of the season.[7] He made his return on 2 March 2014, coming on as a substitute in a 3–2 home league win over FSV Frankfurt.

Augsburg

On 3 July 2014, it was announced that Đurđić joined FC Augsburg on a three-year deal.[8] He made his first official appearance for the club in 0–1 DFB-Pokal away loss to 1. FC Magdeburg on 17 August 2014. Six days later, Đurđić made his league debut for Augsburg in a 0–2 away loss against 1899 Hoffenheim. He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 away league win over 1. FC Köln on 6 December 2014.

Loan to Malmö FF

Đurđić playing for Malmö FF in 2015

On 17 July 2015, Đurđić went on a six-month loan to Malmö FF.[9] He made his debut for the club on 25 July 2015, scoring a 2nd-minute goal in a 3–0 home league win over Sundsvall.[10][11] On 1 August 2015, Đurđić netted both of his team's goals in a 2–2 away league draw against Åtvidaberg. He then scored the opening goal of a 3–0 victory over Red Bull Salzburg in the second leg of the 2015–16 UEFA Champions League third qualifying round. The club eventually reached the group stage of the competition. On 15 September 2015, Đurđić made his UEFA Champions League debut, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2-0 away loss to Paris Saint-Germain at Parc des Princes. He also failed to convert a penalty in a 1–0 home win over Shakhtar Donetsk on 21 October 2015.[12]

Loan to Fortuna Düsseldorf

On 1 February 2016, Đurđić was loaned to Fortuna Düsseldorf until the end of the 2015–16 season.[13] He scored two goals from 12 appearances in the process, as the club avoided relegation from the 2. Bundesliga.

Partizan

On 21 June 2016, Đurđić was transferred to Serbian club Partizan.[14] He signed a two-year deal and was given the number 40 shirt.[15]

Randers

In January 2017, Đurđić moved to Danish club Randers.[16] His debut at the club would be postponed due to an injury, that kept him sidelined for two months.[17] Đurđić made his first competitive appearance in a 0–1 loss against Odense BK on 18 April.[18]

Hammarby

2018

On 15 March 2018, Đurđić joined Hammarby IF, the third Swedish club in his career. He signed a one-year contract (with an option for two further) with the Allsvenskan side.[19] Đurđić had a flying start to his stint at the club, scoring 6 goals in 10 games as Hammarby was placed first in the league mid-season. He subsequently signed a new three and half-year deal with the side on 2 July. [20] Hammarby eventually fell of in the table, and finished 4th in the league, with Đurđić scoring 13 goals in 27 games.

2019

On 27 July 2019, he scored his first hat-trick with Hammarby in a 6–1 away win against AFC Eskilstuna. Hammarby finished 3rd in the table, as Đurđić scored 13 goals in 27 games and got voted as Allsvenskan forward of the year.[21]

Chengdu

On 24 January 2020, Đurđić was sold to Chengdu Better City in the China League Two.[22] The transfer fee was reportedly set at around 5 million Swedish kronor.[23]

International career

On 15 May 2007, Đurđić made his debut for Serbia at under-21 level, coming on as a substitute in a 6–2 home friendly win over the Cyprus U21s. He was also a member of the team at the Valeriy Lobanovskyi Memorial Tournament in August of that year. On 8 September 2007, Đurđić scored his first goal for the Under-21 side in a 3–1 European Championship qualifier win over Belarus.[24]

On 6 February 2013, Đurđić made his senior debut for Serbia under Siniša Mihajlović, playing the first half in a 3–1 away friendly win against Cyprus.[25]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 2 November 2019[26]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National Cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Voždovac	2006–07	SuperLiga	29	10	2	1	-		-		31	11
	2007–08	Serbian First League	27	4	0	0	-		-		27	4
	2008–09		7	1	0	0	-		-		7	1
	Total		63	15	2	1	-	-	-	-	65	16
Haugesund	2009	Adeccoligaen	25	10	1	0	-		-		26	10
	2010	Tippeligaen	27	12	3	5	-		-		30	17
	2011		27	12	2	1	-		-		29	13
	2012		18	12	4	5	-		-		22	17
	Total		97	46	10	11	-	-	-	-	107	57
Helsingborg (loan)	2012	Allsvenskan	11	10	0	0	7	4	-		18	14
	Total		11	10	0	0	7	4	-	-	18	14
Greuther Fürth	2012–13	Bundesliga	15	5	0	0	-		-		15	5
	2013–14	2. Bundesliga	15	4	1	1	-		-		16	5
	Total		30	9	1	1	-	-	-	-	31	10
Augsburg	2014–15	Bundesliga	16	1	1	0	-		-		17	1
	Total		16	1	1	0	-	-	-	-	17	1
Malmö (loan)	2015	Allsvenskan	12	5	0	0	10	1	-		22	6
	Total		12	5	0	0	10	1	-	-	22	6
Fortuna Düsseldorf (loan)	2015–16	2. Bundesliga	12	2	0	0	-		-		12	2
	Total		12	2	0	0	-	-	-	-	12	2
Partizan	2016–17	SuperLiga	13	1	2	0	2	0	-		17	1
	Total		13	1	2	0	2	0	-	-	17	1
Randers	2016–17	Superliga	9	1	0	0	-		-		9	1
	2017–18		17	2	0	0	-		-		17	2
	Total		26	3	0	0	-	-	-	-	26	3
Hammarby	2018	Allsvenskan	27	13	0	0	-		-		27	13
	2019		27	13	5	2	-		-		32	15
	Total		54	26	5	2	-	-	-	-	59	28
Career total			334	118	21	15	19	5	-	-	375	138

International

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Serbia	2013	1	0
Total		1	0

Honours

Club

Haugesund

• Norwegian First Division: 2009

Individual

• Allsvenskan forward of the year: 2019

References

1. "Lover 20 mål" (in Norwegian). h-avis.no. 9 March 2009. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
2. "Celtic: Helsingborgs add striker Nikola Djurdic in time for Euro tie". bbc.com. 20 August 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
3. "Douglas rescues point for Twente". uefa.com. 4 October 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
4. "Late goal puts Hannover through". uefa.com. 8 November 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
5. "Helsingborg sign off with Twente stroll". uefa.com. 6 December 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
6. "Đurđić srušio Šalke" (in Serbian). rts.rs. 2 February 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
7. "Nikola Đurđić pauzira 6 meseci!" (in Serbian). b92.net. 12 August 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
8. "FCA vor Verpflichtung von Djurdjic" (in German). fcaugsburg.de. 3 July 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
9. "Djurdjic auf Leihbasis nach Schweden" (in German). fcaugsburg.de. 17 July 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
10. "Nikola Djurdjic blev målskytt i sin debut" (in Swedish). expressen.se. 25 July 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
11. "Đurđić strelac posle dva minuta na debiju" (in Serbian). b92.net. 25 July 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
12. "Malmö off the mark with defeat of Shakhtar". uefa.com. 21 October 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
13. "Djurdjic joins Fortuna Düsseldorf on loan". fcaugsburg.de. 1 February 2016. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
14. "Nikola Djurdjic leaves for Belgrade". fcaugsburg.de. 21 June 2016. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
15. "Sedmo pojačanje Nikola Đurđić" (in Serbian). partizan.rs. 21 June 2016. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
16. "Randers snupper serbisk angriber" (in Danish). bold.dk. 31 January 2017. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
17. "Djurdjic om tuffa tiden i Danmark, svensk supporterkultur och Bajen: "Inte rädd för pressen här"" (in Swedish). Fotbollskanalen. 16 March 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
18. "Nikola Djurdjic". Superstats. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
19. "Nikola Djurdjic och Erkan Zengin klara för Hammarby" (in Swedish). Hammarby Fotboll. 15 March 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
20. "Hammarby skriver nytt avtal med Nikola Djurdjic" (in Swedish). Hammarby Fotboll. 2 July 2018. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
21. "Marcus Danielson kvällens stora vinnare på Allsvenskans Stora Pris" (in Swedish). Svensk Elitfotboll. 5 November 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
22. "Nikola Djurdjic lämnar Hammarby" (in Swedish). Hammarby Fotboll. 24 January 2020. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
23. ""Okej för en 33-åring – inte okej för Djurdjic"" (in Swedish). Expressen. 24 January 2020. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
24. "Serbia end perfect Belarus start". uefa.com. 8 September 2007. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
25. ""Holandska veza" pokrenula "Orlove"!" (in Serbian). sportske.net. 6 February 2013. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
26. "Nikola Djurdjic". altomfotball.no (in Norwegian). TV 2. Retrieved 1 November 2018.

External links

• Player profile on Serbian National Team page
• Nikola Đurđić at SvFF (in Swedish)
• Altomfotball profile
• Nikola Đurđić at Soccerway
• Nikola Đurđić at fussballdaten.de (in German)
• Nikola Đurđić – UEFA competition record
• Nikola Đurđić at National-Football-Teams.com