Full name Nebojsa Jelenkovic Name Nebojsa Jelenkovic Role Footballer | Years Team Height 1.77 m 1997–1999 Obilic Belgrade Position Midfielder | |
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Date of birth (1978-05-26) 26 May 1978 (age 37) Place of birth Novi Sad, SFR Yugoslavia | ||
Playing position | ||
Nebojša Jelenković (Serbian Cyrillic: Небојша Јеленковић; born 26 May 1978) is a former Serbian professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.
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He has played more than 290 domestic games with Litex Lovech and holds the record for most domestic games played by a foreigner in the Bulgarian A Group. He is also the first foreigner to become a captain of a Bulgarian team. In 2004 he obtained a Bulgarian passport.
In Serbia
Young Jelenković joined the local team FK Novi Sad to start his youth career. In 1997 he signed with FK Obilić. During his first season with the team Jelenković became a champion of Serbia for 1997–98.
Litex Lovech
In 1999 Jelenković moved to Litex Lovech. He made his first appearance for Litex in a Champions League qualification match against Widzew Łódź, on 28 July 1999. His league debut came on 8 August, in a 1–0 loss against Slavia Sofia on the opening day of the 1999–00 season. On 20 November 1999, Nebojša scored his first goals, scoring twice in a 3–1 away win over Velbazhd Kyustendil. He scored his final goal of the season in a 6–0 win at home over Volov Shumen on 1 April 2000.
On 29 August 2002, Jelenković scored his first-ever European goal in a 3–1 away win over Lithuanian Atlantas Klaipėda in their 2002–03 UEFA Cup qualifying round second leg tie. Three weeks later, he scored an own goal in a 1–0 home loss against Panathinaikos in the first round of the tournament.
In 2006, Jelenković was on the radar of then Bulgarian manager Hristo Stoichkov as a prospective candidate for the national team, but eventually did not meet the eligibility criteria because of having appeared in matches for the FR Yugoslavia U-21. In the same year CSKA Sofia attempted to secure the services of the Serbian midfielder.
On 30 August 2007, Kuban Krasnodar confirmed Jelenković has joined on loan for three months. He spent most of his time with Kuban on the bench, making only three Russian Premier League appearances. In December Jelenković returned to Litex and earned 12 appearances in the Bulgarian A PFG, scored one goal to the end of the season.
Spartak Trnava
At the end of 2007–08 season his contract expires and Jelenković signs with Spartak Trnava on a one-year contract for the 2008–09 season. He earned 27 appearances playing in the Slovak Superliga, scored one goal and the team finished on third place.
Return to Litex Lovech
On 12 June 2009, Jelenković again came back to Litex Lovech on a long term contract. On 12 March 2011, he made his 250th appearance for Litex in the Bulgarian A PFG, in a 2–1 win over Pirin Blagoevgrad. Jelenković announced his retirement at the end of the 2012–13 season. He has featured on 293 occasions in the A PFG and is currently the all-time appearance leader among foreign players in the top flight of Bulgarian football.
Career statistics
As of 1 June 2013