Slobodan Branković (footballer)
Slobodan Branković is a Serbian retired footballer.Football career
Beginnings
Branković, born in the Banovo Brdo neighborhood of Belgrade, began his footballing career with Partizan Belgrade's youth academy in 1978 where he played alongside the late Čava Dimitrijević and former Partizan head coach Vladimir Vermezović. Here he got the nickname of Kengur, the Serbian language word for kangaroo. He remained in Partizan's youth academy until 1985 when he signed with FK Rad who was then in the Yugoslav Second League. Upon signing for Rad however, he was immediately released by Milan Živadinović.Austria
After his departure from Rad, Branković did not play anywhere for two months until he arrived in Austria for a try-out with First Vienna FC. The try-out was arranged by well-known Serbian sports commentator Vladanko Stojaković. First Vienna had just signed Argentinian great Mario Kempes. Branković was signed and formed a formidable tandem with Kempes. Branković even earned the nickname of the Serbian Mario Kempes due to their similar playing style and similar physique.
