Zoran Rajović

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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

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

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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