Former Derby County striker Aleksandar Prijovic has experienced an interesting journey which now culminates in the player earning big money in the Saudi Professional League.
Prijovic joined Derby from Parma back in 2008 after a successful trial.
The Serbia international initially impressed for the academy side, netting a hat-trick against Arsenal. However, he was soon cast aside following Paul Jewell’s sacking.
Prijovic had unsuccessful loan spells at Yeovil and Northampton Town.
Nigel Clough’s arrival as manager later saw an end to Prijovic’s spell at Pride Park as he joined Swiss side Sion following fellow trials in Denmark and Germany.
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Many Derby fans wouldn’t have anticipated much from the 6ft 3inch striker. However, Prijovic can proudly say he has exceeded expectations and made a real career for himself.
Now 30, Prijovic has won league titles in Poland and Greece, the latter with PAOK which prompted a £9 million move to his current club Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.
According to Transfermarkt, the Serb is pocketing a whopping £90,000 per week in Saudi Arabia and was the subject of interest from Lokomotiv Moscow in Russia.
A sticky situation prompted in a three-month house arrest for breaking Covid regulation, but Prijovic has bounced back and was back on the scoresheet last weekend with two goals.
Most Derby youngsters from that 2007-10 era struggled to make the cut. It wasn’t until Will Hughes and Jeff Hendrick came along that the Rams produced top-flight players.
But Prijovic has arguably had the most success. Also capped 13 times at international level, he has shown how players can bounce back from early rejections and prove their worth.
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