A Look at Manchester United's Other New Serbian Talent: Adem Ljajic

On Friday 2nd January 2009, Manchester United confirmed the signings of two serbians, Adem Ljajic and Zoran Tosic, from FK Partizan Belgrade in a deal reported to be worth an eventual £16.3million.

In my previous article, I took a look at the player who will stay at Old Trafford, Zoran Tosic. The other player, Adem Ljajic, is moving back to FK Partizan on a season long loan, and will re-join United in January 2010. Here, I shall take a look at the young Serb who United left behind.

Adem Ljajic is a 17-year old footballer, who plays in either attacking midfield or right midfield, for Serbia Superliga side FK Partizan Belgrade.

Unlike fellow Serb and teammate Zoran Tosic, Ljajic—or "Little Kaka" as he is known, due to his remarkable skills—started his career in the Partizan youth team, joining Serbia's best club academy in 2005, before being promoted to the first-team in 2008.  

In July 2008, despite heavy interest from Spartak Moscow and Inter Milan, Ljajic signed a three-year professional contract with FK Partizan, and was given the No. 22 shirt.

In receiving this number, he has become the first person since Sasa Ilic, Serbia's footballing legend, to wear the No. 22 shirt. It's a move that shows how highly the Belgrade side think of their young starlet.

Ljajic made his first appearance for Partizan in the second round qualifying of the 2008-09 UEFA Champions League, and another in the third round qualifying.

In these Champions League matches, his talent was there for all to see, and such talent attracted the interest of the Serbian U-19 team.

In October 2008, Ljajic came with Serbia's U-19's to play in a European Championship qualifying match against England, and his performances further strengthened the interest of Manchester United, who already were trying to negotiate a trial, and later succeeded.

He clearly impressed on trial at United, and in the 10 appearances he made in the league for Partizan—in which he scored two very important goals—and with his call-up to the Serbia U-21s, in which he has won two caps, scoring on his debut.

Such performances led United to make a formal bid, and after a drawn-out transfer saga, Ljajic joined United in January 2009, with the fee paid for him believed to be around £7million. Quite a lot for a 17-year old.

However, with United already having some rather promising young talents, manager Sir Alex Ferguson decided the best decision for Ljajic would be to stay in Belgrade for another season, in order to get more first-team experience at a high level, in Serbia's top flight.

So another year in Serbia for Ljajic, something which seems to be a wise decision for a player who has only just turned 17, on 29th September. More first-team football in the Serbia Superliga and in Europe for Ljajic to show off his amazing talents.

And more first-team football to show what could've been for the rest of Europe's elite, had they just phoned or faxed a bid that little bit earlier.

Oh well, their loss, Manchester United's gain. And Partizan's for another year.