ISL outfit Chennaiyin FC rope in Montenegrin centre back Slavko Damjanovic

Indian Super League outfit Chennaiyin FC have been very busy in the transfer market heading to the upcoming season. They have now signed Montenegrin centre back Slavko Damjanovic who will look to guard their backline and help them improve in the upcoming season.

The 28-year-old defender has signed a one year deal with the two times ISL champions and will look to adapt to the new environment as soon as possible. Damnjanovic is a journey as he has plied his trade in various countries including his native Montenegro, followed by first tier teams in Serbia, South Africa and Uzbekistan. So this will not be his first stint in Asia. The defender featured for Lokomotiv Tashkent during his time at Uzbekistan and there he even made an appearance at the Asian Champions League. Therefore he comes to Indian with a great amount of experience and will look to be the leader in defence for the Marina Machans.

“We are extremely pleased to onboard someone like Slavko to help solidify our backline. A player of his calibre might have a lot to pass onto our young defenders,” CFC co-owner Vita Dani said on the club’s third foreign recruit of the season.

In 2020, Damjanovic featured for Montenegrin first-tier outfit Buducnost Podgorica and guided them to their fourth league title and then he also featured in their Europa League qualifying matches. He last featured for Serbian top tier team TSC Backa Tapola.

“I am so happy to join [Chennaiyin FC]. I hope we win the league. The coach is bringing in good players. I will give my everything for the team. I look forward to representing a city with such culture,” the Montenegro-born footballer said.

Damjanovic is left-footed and apart from playing as a centre back, he can also slot in as a defensive-minded left-back. He is very solid with his game reading and physicality. He stands at 6 ft 2 height which makes him an imposing figure on either box. He can be the new leader in defence for the two-time champions.

“Slavko is a highly tactical player, and his inclusion is certain to give the team more stability from the back to the front,”  CFC’s new head coach Bozidar Bandovic opined.