#77 Luka Djordjevic
Date of birth: 9 July 1994 (22)
Nationality: Montenegro
Height: 1,85 m
Position: Centre Forward
The Montenegrin footballer came to Zenit from FK Mogren on the 1st July 2012, and made his first appearance for the club the in the 5-0 win over Spartak Moscow soon after his arrival, where came on for his first eight minutes for the club. Just weeks later Djordjevic received his first call-up for the Montenegro national team for matches against Poland and San Marino, going on to score on his debut against San Marino on the 11th September 2012. The next three years Djordjevic spent out on loan away from Zenit, firstly at former Dutch champions Twente where he played for the first and second teams, at Italian Sampdoria and then in Spain with Ponferradina, before Mircea Lucescu called him back to Zenit this season.
This season Djordjevic has played five matches, scoring the winning goal against Rostov in 3-2 win on the 12th August, earning a re-call to his country’s national team and from what we’ve seen so far, much more is to come from this young and promising player.
So the big question is, what does Luka bring into the already strong Zenit squad? Firstly, he is clearly very talented, this season we have seen Luka is direct, he has the ability to challenge and go past players, he’s good in the air and his accurate, quality passing are all things Zenit fans most appreciate from him. He has the quality needed to score important goals for the team, showing this in pre-season with three goals against European giants Monaco and Sporting Lisbon, both times coming on from the bench at half time to score. Djordjevic is always looking to create danger in the oppositions box, whether or not he’s in possession of the ball. Since returning to Zenit he has been displaying a hunger and desire to show the coach that he is good enough to play a full 90-minutes and earned himself a start away to Ufa in the second game of the season. He’s also a player with pace and great technique, which all clubs desire in a player. I believe this season we will see him mature as part of the Zenit team.
Djordjevic has huge potential and is demonstrating to us all that he has the qualities Zenit need upfront, he can improve and will improve as he gets more chances in the first team, it’s clear he wants to fight for a starting 11 spot and the Manager has given him his backing. Luka already has three trophies in Russia to his name (Runner-up Russian Premier League 2012/13 and Russian Super Cup 2015/16 & 2016/17) and his goals will surely help the team add to these trophies. He may lack experience on the Petrovsky pitch, but that will change and from us, the fans, we wish you best of luck and lots of goals Luka!
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