Nikola Jovanović (footballer, born 1952)


Nikola "Nikki" Jovanović is a retired Montenegrin footballer. Representing Yugoslavia during his career, he is known for being first player from outside the British Isles and Ireland to join Manchester United. He is now a sports director of FK Budućnost Podgorica.

Club career

Jovanović was one of the most successful players of, then Yugoslav, giant Red Star where he played as a defender and had an impressive overall record of 359 matches and 50 goals for the Belgrade side. He then made history when he became the first Yugoslav footballer to play for leading English league side Manchester United, where he made 21 Football League appearances in the early 1980s after being signed by manager Dave Sexton. In addition, he was the first non-British Isles player to be signed by the club — Italian-born Carlo Sartori, who played for United during the 1960s and 1970s, moved to Manchester as a child and came through the club's youth system. In January 1980, Manchester United made Jovanović one of the club's most expensively signed players at the time by paying £300,000 for his services to Red Star. However, his time at Old Trafford was short lived and he failed to justify his transfer fee. By the end of his first season he began suffering from chronic back pain and before long was on his way back to his native Yugoslavia. After being injured for almost two seasons he retired at the age of 31.

International career

Jovanović was capped seven times for the Yugoslavia national football team and was part of the squad at the 1982 FIFA World Cup.

Personal life

Born in Cetinje, present day Montenegro, he resides with his family in Mengeš, Slovenia. Before signing for Manchester United he turned down an offer from Bayern Munich and decided in favour of the English side.