Milan Blagojevic

NSL Career: APIA, Marconi, Heidelberg, Sydney Olympic, Parramatta Power, Newcastle United 253 (4) / 1989 - 2003/04

Socceroos Career: 19 (0) A Internationals / 12 (0) B Internationals

A product of futsal during his junior career, Milan Blagojevic was one of the most skilful defenders ever produced in the NSL and was a key player in the Olyroos' most successful team at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Despite an injury-interrupted career, Blagojevic's athleticism saw him enjoy a long career in Australia and abroad.

Born in Sydney, Blagojevic began his junior career at Avala (later Bonnyrigg White Eagles) and made his first team debut in the NSW Division One at the age of 16. Blagojevic spent three seasons in the first team during which time the club were relegated from and promoted back to Division One.

Blagojevic joined NSL club APIA in the 1989 season and made his league debut in their round 8 loss to St George at the age of 19 before becoming a regular in the side for the remainder of the season. The right-back played in 16 of the first 17 games of the 1989/90 season before succumbing to injury and was replaced by Andy Stankovic for the remainder of the season.

Returning to full fitness, Blagojevic missed just one league game during the 1990/91 season and played in APIA's fourth consecutive NSL Cup Semi-Final in which they lost two-one to Preston, before joining Marconi the following season for a $17,000 transfer fee. Blagojevic's form for APIA led to his international debut in a B international against South Korea's B side before making his full international debut against their A side. Blagojevic continued to improve at Marconi as he helped the side reach the NSL Cup Final and played in international friendlies against Sweden, USA and Argentina.

Following the 1991/92 NSL season, Blagojevic was selected for Australia's (Olyroos) Barcelona Olympics side where he was one of their standout players in the competition as Australia progressed to bronze medal play-off match against Ghana, in which Australia lost one-nil.

Prior to the 1992/93 NSL season, Blagojevic secured a move to Belgian First Division side Germinal Ekeren for a transfer fee of over $300,000 along with fellow Olympian Tony Vidmar. Blagojevic made just 13 league appearances for the club before moving to Eredivisie side Heerenveen the following season.

Blagojevic suffered an ACL injury during the season and made just one league appearance before returning to Australia to join Heidelberg. Blagojevic played in eight of the first 10 games of the 1994/95 season for Heidelberg before missing the remainder of the season through injury and was loaned out to Sydney Olympic the following season.

The classy defender returned to full fitness and got himself back in to the Socceroos fold as well as helping Olympic qualify for the finals series. Blagojevic remained at Olympic the following season and continued to establish himself as one of the side's standout players, spending time in a number six role before joining Malaysian club Johor prior to the NSL Finals Series.

Blagojevic joined NSL star Aytek Genç at the club where the skilful Aussie duo were unable to save Johor from relegation in the last season of the top-tier Liga Perdana. Blagojevic helped Johor finish second in the inaugural Liga Perdana 2 (second-tier) season - missing out on promotion before returning to Sydney Olympic midway through the 1998/99 season. Olympic failed to qualify for the finals series before Blagojevic joined Parramatta Power's inaugural NSL squad for the 1999/00 season. During an injury-interrupted debut season at Power, Blagojevic scored his first league goal in his 155th NSL match.

The experienced campaigner spent another season at Power but was again unable to help the side qualify for the finals series before joining Newcastle United. Operating in midfield, Blagojevic missed just two games during the season and helped the side reach the preliminary final in their first NSL Finals Series campaign, losing one-nil to eventual champions Sydney Olympic.

Blagojevic helped the side qualify for the final series the following season before leaving Newcastle midway through the 2003/04 season to trial for S.League club Geylang United. Following an unsuccessful stint in Singapore, Blagojevic hung up his boots at the age of 34 to pursue a career in coaching at state league level.