Saturday, 19 March 2011 12:51 PM
South Melbourne FC is delighted to announce the signing of Ljubo Miličević on a short-term deal. Miličević becomes the 50th player to have played for both the Socceroos and South Melbourne FC.
There is no doubt that Miličević is a true character of Australian football, but more importantly an excellent defender with plenty of domestic and European football experience behind him. Miličević began his professional career with Melbourne Croatia in the National Soccer League before playing and scoring in Perth Glory’s losing 1999/00 Grand Final side. In the early 2000s, Miličević left for Europe and playing for FC Zurich, FC Basel, FC Thun and Young Boys in Switzerland, captaining Thun and Young Boys. In the 2005-06 European season, Miličević represented Thun in five group stage matches of the UEFA Champions League against world-class opposition such as Arsenal and Ajax.
In 2007, Miličević returned to Australia for four seasons before heading back to Europe to attempt to sign for a European club. After trials with FC Basel in the Swiss Super League and Bundesliga 2 club Arminia Bielefeld, Miličević decided it was best to return to Australia and play short-term in the Victorian Premier League with South Melbourne FC to maintain peak match fitness before heading back to Europe halfway through the year for the beginning of the 2011/12 season. He made his debut last night in our win against the Oakleigh Cannons after being cleared at 5.30pm to play after weeks of trying.
South Melbourne FC welcomes Ljubo Miličević to the Club and is very much looking forward to seeing him representing the Club in 2011.