Name Nikola Mitrovic 2004–2007 Napredak Weight 79 kg | Years Team Height 1.76 m 1997–2004 Napredak Role Footballer | |
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Date of birth (1987-01-02) 2 January 1987 (age 28) Place of birth Krusevac, SFR Yugoslavia Number 14 (Ujpest FC / Midfielder), 24 (Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C.) Similar People Gal Alberman, Tal Ben Haim, Barak Badash, Barak Yitzhaki, Carlos Garcia Badias | ||
Playing position Current team Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C. | ||
Nikola Mitrović (Serbian Cyrillic: Никола Митровић; born 2 January 1987) is a Serbian footballer who plays for Bnei Yehuda as a defensive midfielder.
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Career
Mitrović joined his hometown club FK Napredak when he was 10 years old. He played for the junior teams and eventually became a regular and important player for the senior team. In July 2007, it was announced that Mitrović signed a three-year contract with FK Partizan.
On 4 August 2013 Mitrović signed with Maccabi Tel Aviv on a free transfer, signing a one-year deal with an option for another one.
F.C. Maccabi Tel Aviv
He reunited with his former coach at Videoton, Paulo Sousa, who wanted to added more depth to Maccabi's midfield. Mitrovic soon became an important fixture at Maccabi using his ability to link defense and attack, cutting through defenses with through balls and his high work rate to press up the field. Mostly rememberd that season are his great performances against Eintracht Frankfurt and Maccabi Haifa. Mitrovic ended the season having played in 41 games(starting in 29) scoring twice and adding the same number of assists. Despite his good season at Maccabi many of the fans felt the team needed to replace him with a better player, and this feeling was shared by the new head coach Oscar Garcia. Alongside director of football Jordi Cruyff, the two decided to sign Nigerian international midfielder, Nosa Igiebor and removed Mitrovic from first team training. During the summer it was rumored that several Israeli premier league clubs, including Beitar Jerusalem and Maccabi's championship rivals Hapoel Beer Sheva, were interested in Mitrovic. Mitrovic agreed terms with Beer Sheva and was about to sign for the team from the south before his wife convinced him otherwise: " I had already agreed a deal with Beer Sheva. I had passed the medical check and received the contract to sign. While driving back to Tel-Aviv I called my wife to tell her and she started to cry. She heard Beer Sheva was close to Gaza and that rockets were being shot there, I told her that we are accustomed to this from our homeland Serbia, but because of our new baby she wouldn't hear it". This wouldn't be the last time the fight in Gaza would affect his fate. On August 26, Maccabi head coach Oscar Garcia officially resigned. He and his family had difficulties acclimating to the conditions in Israel during operation Protective Edge. Pako Ayestarán was immediately appointed to replace him as head coach. His first decision was to give a fresh start to every player in the squad including, Mitrovic. Nikola impressed in training and was given the first team shirt for the next game and succeeded in making a strong impression on the new coach. Mitrovic once again became a prominent figure in the rotation and helped guide Maccabi to a treble win(championship, Israeli cup and Israeli toto cup). Unlike the year before the 2014/2015 season was rich in praise for Nikola by media and football professionals in Israel. He was awarded with the player of the month in January, and most memorable were his performances against Maccabi Haifa, and the Israeli cup semi final against Ahi Nazareth in which he scored a goal and added two assists. Head coach of the Israeli national team, Eli Gutman said: "I wish I had a midfielder like him. He has a lot of style, great qualities, good on defense and attack, he never stops moving. Smart, with great tactical discipline and self confidence". Mitrovic finished the season with 42 appearances (starting 38) 4 goals and 10 assists.
F.C. Bney Yehuda Tel Aviv
On August 31, 2016 Mitrović signed a one-year deal with Bney Yehuda Tel Aviv.