COLUMBUS – The Columbus Crew announced today that it has signed left back Nemanja Vukovic, who will occupy an international roster slot. Per club and league policy, no further terms of the multi-year deal were disclosed.
Vukovic was impressive on trial over the course of the last two weeks of the Crew’s preseason in Charleston, S.C., and Columbus, during which he appeared in three matches.
“Nemanja is a quality, experienced left-footed player and we are very happy to add him to our roster,” said Crew head coach Robert Warzycha. “He makes good passes out of the back, hits good crosses and has good timing when joining the attack.”
A 6-2 native of Podgorica, Montenegro, who will turn 28 on April 13, Vukovic most recently played for OFK Grbalj of the Montenegro First League, where he appeared in 12 matches and scored two goals.
Vukovic began his professional career in 2003 with FK Kom, a First League team based in his hometown of Podgorica. He spent one season at Kom, appearing in 10 matches, before transferring across town to FK Buducnost Podgorica, also in the First League. He spent the bulk of his career at Buducnost, where he appeared in 36 matches and tallied three goals from 2005 to 2009.
Following the 2008-09 season, he transferred to Greek second-division side Panaitolikos where he scored twice in 29 appearances between 2009 and 2011 and helped the club earn promotion to the Greek Super League at the end of his tenure.
Founded by American sports pioneer Lamar Hunt, the Columbus Crew is Ohio's Major League Soccer club, anchoring a diverse sports and entertainment enterprise. One of the league's Charter Members, it won its first MLS Cup championship in 2008 and has also won the 2002 U.S. Open Cup and MLS Supporters’ Shield titles in 2004, 2008 and 2009. It opened its 17th season on March 10 at Colorado and kicks off its 14th at first-of-its-kind Crew Stadium this Saturday, March 24, against the Montreal Impact.
32 - Nemanja Vukovic
Pronunciation: NAY-mahn-YA VOO-koh-VEECH
Position: Defender
Height: 6-2
Weight: 170
Born: April 13, 1984 (Podgorica, Montenegro)
Hometown: Podgorica, Montenegro
Citizenship: Montenegro
2011 Team: OFK Grbalj (Montenegro First League)
Professional Experience: FK Kom, Montenegro (2003-04), Buducnost Podgorica, Montenegro (2005-09), Panaitolikos, Greece (2009-11), OFK Grbalj, Montenegro (2011)
How Acquired: Signed on March 21, 2012
