Samir Nurkovic is a professional football player hailing from Serbia. Born on June 13, 1992, in Tutin, Serbia and Montenegro, Nurkovic is currently 31 years old. He plays as a striker and is known for his scoring abilities and physical presence on the field.
Nurkovic started his football career in Serbia, playing for FK Tutin and FK Partizan Belgrade. He then moved to Slovakia, where he played for MFK Kosice, Dunajska Streda, and Slovan Duslo Sala. In 2019, he signed with South African club Kaizer Chiefs, where he played for two seasons before joining TS Galaxy FC in 2023. He has also represented the Serbian national team at the U-21 level.
Nurkovic’s playing style is characterized by his physicality, aerial ability, and clinical finishing. Off the pitch, he is known for his humble personality and dedication to his craft. In this article, we will delve deeper into his career, playing style, and personal life.
Key Takeaways
- Samir Nurkovic is a Serbian football striker who currently plays for TS Galaxy FC in South Africa.
- He started his career in Serbia before moving to Slovakia and then South Africa.
- Nurkovic is known for his physicality, aerial ability, and clinical finishing. Off the pitch, he is known for his humble personality and dedication to his craft.
Early Life and Career
Birth and Early Years
Samir Nurkovic was born on June 13, 1992, in Tutin, Serbia and Montenegro. He grew up in a football-loving family and started playing football at a young age. Nurkovic’s parents were supportive of his passion for football and encouraged him to pursue it.
Initial Football Steps
Nurkovic started his football career with FK Tutin, a local club in Serbia. He then moved to FK Partizan Belgrade, one of the most successful football clubs in Serbia. Nurkovic played for the club’s youth teams and was eventually promoted to the senior team.
Professional Debut
Nurkovic made his professional debut for MFK Košice, a Slovakian club, in 2012. He played for the club for two seasons before moving to Dunajská Streda ViOn Zlaté Moravce. Nurkovic played for several clubs in Slovakia before moving to South Africa to join Kaizer Chiefs FC in 2019. He had a successful season with the club, scoring 13 goals in 28 appearances.
Nurkovic’s impressive performances for Kaizer Chiefs FC earned him a move to TS Galaxy FC in 2023. He is currently playing for the club as a centre-forward and has been a key player for them.
Club Career
Domestic Clubs
Samir Nurkovic began his professional football career in Slovakia with Pohronie before moving to Slovan Duslo Šaľa and Dunajská Streda ViOn Zlaté Moravce. He then made a transfer to South Africa and joined Kaizer Chiefs in July 2019. He played for the club for three seasons and scored 35 goals in 92 appearances. Nurkovic won the Premier Soccer League (PSL) Player of the Season award in his debut season with Kaizer Chiefs in 2019-2020.
In September 2023, Nurkovic signed with TS Galaxy FC. During his time with the club, he scored 14 goals in 27 appearances. His contract with TS Galaxy FC expired in May 2024.
International Experience
Samir Nurkovic has not represented the Serbian national football team. However, he has played for several Slovakian clubs before moving to South Africa.
Notable Achievements with Clubs
During his time with Kaizer Chiefs, Nurkovic won the PSL Player of the Season award in 2019-2020. He was also named the PSL Player of the Month twice during the 2019-2020 season. In addition, Nurkovic helped Kaizer Chiefs reach the final of the CAF Champions League in 2021. He scored important goals in the competition, including a brace against Wydad Casablanca in the semi-final. Despite losing the final to Al Ahly, Nurkovic was one of the standout performers for Kaizer Chiefs in the competition.
| Club | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Pohronie | 12 | 2 |
| Slovan Duslo Šaľa | 13 | 2 |
| Dunajská Streda ViOn Zlaté Moravce | 50 | 14 |
| Kaizer Chiefs | 92 | 35 |
| TS Galaxy FC | 27 | 14 |
Samir Nurkovic has been a prolific goalscorer throughout his career. He has scored 67 goals in 194 club appearances as of May 2024.
National Team Career
First Call-up
Samir Nurkovic received his first call-up to the Serbian national team in November 2023. He was named in the squad for the UEFA Nations League match against Bulgaria and the friendly match against Montenegro. Nurkovic was called up following his impressive performances for TS Galaxy in the Premier Soccer League.
International Caps
Nurkovic made his debut for the Serbian national team in the UEFA Nations League match against Bulgaria in November 2023. He came on as a substitute in the 68th minute and helped his team secure a 2-1 victory. He was also included in the squad for the friendly match against Montenegro but did not feature in the game.
Goals and Highlights
Samir Nurkovic is yet to score his first goal for the Serbian national team. However, he has been praised for his performances in his limited game time. His physical presence and ability to hold up the ball have been particularly impressive. Nurkovic will be looking to make a bigger impact in future international matches and help his team qualify for major tournaments.
Overall, Samir Nurkovic’s national team career is still in its early stages. He will be hoping to establish himself as a regular in the Serbian national team and help his team achieve success in international competitions.
Playing Style
Position and Role
Samir Nurkovic is a versatile striker who can also play as a winger or attacking midfielder. He is known for his excellent positioning and ability to hold up the ball, which makes him an ideal target man for his team. He is also a good finisher and can score goals from both inside and outside the box.
Skills and Techniques
Nurkovic’s biggest strength is his physicality. He is strong, tall, and has good aerial ability, which makes him a threat in the air. He is also a good dribbler and has good ball control, which allows him to take on defenders and create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. He is also a good passer and can provide assists for his teammates.
Comparison with Contemporaries
Nurkovic’s playing style is often compared to that of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Both players are tall, strong, and have good aerial ability. They are also versatile and can play in different positions. However, Nurkovic is more of a team player than Ibrahimovic and is known for his work rate and ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Off the Pitch
Personal Life
Samir Nurković was born on June 13, 1992, in Tutin, Serbia and Montenegro. He is a private person and has not shared much information about his personal life. However, it is known that he is married and has a daughter.
Charitable Work
Samir Nurković has not made any public announcements regarding his charitable work. However, as a professional athlete, he has the platform and ability to make a positive impact on society.
Media Presence
Samir Nurković is active on social media platforms such as Instagram and Twitter. He has a significant following on Instagram, where he regularly posts pictures and updates about his professional life. He also uses his platform to share motivational messages and interact with his fans.
In conclusion, while Samir Nurković is a private person, he has a significant presence on social media and has the potential to make a positive impact on society through his platform as a professional athlete.
Statistics
Career Stats
Samir Nurkovic is a prolific striker who has played for several clubs throughout his career. As of the 2023/2024 season, he has scored a total of 55 goals in 153 appearances across all competitions. His goals-to-games ratio is an impressive 0.36. Nurkovic’s most successful season was the 2019/2020 season, where he scored 23 goals in 30 appearances for Kaizer Chiefs FC.
Season-by-Season Breakdown
During the 2023/2024 season, Nurkovic played for TS Galaxy FC in the Premier Soccer League in South Africa. He scored 8 goals in 19 appearances, with a goals-to-games ratio of 0.42. In the previous season, he played for Kaizer Chiefs FC, where he scored 16 goals in 32 appearances.
Records and Milestones
Nurkovic has achieved several records and milestones throughout his career. During the 2019/2020 season, he became the first Kaizer Chiefs player to score 20 goals in a single season since the 2010/2011 season. He also won the Premier Soccer League Player of the Month award twice during that season.
In addition, Nurkovic was the top scorer for Kaizer Chiefs during the 2019/2020 season, helping the team finish as runners-up in the league. He also scored in the final of the Telkom Knockout Cup, helping Kaizer Chiefs win the trophy.
Overall, Nurkovic has established himself as one of the top strikers in South African football, and his impressive performances have earned him a loyal fanbase.
Awards and Honors
Samir Nurkovic’s impressive performances on the pitch have earned him several awards and honors throughout his career. Here are some of his notable achievements:
- Premier Soccer League Player of the Month: In January 2020, Nurkovic was named the Premier Soccer League Player of the Month for his outstanding performances for Kaizer Chiefs. This award was a testament to his impact on the team and his ability to consistently perform at a high level.
- MTN8 Top Scorer: In the 2019/20 season, Nurkovic finished as the top scorer in the MTN8 competition with four goals. This was an impressive feat considering it was his first season in South Africa.
- Kaizer Chiefs Player of the Season: At the end of the 2019/20 season, Nurkovic was named Kaizer Chiefs Player of the Season. This award was well-deserved as he had played a crucial role in helping the team reach the final of the Telkom Knockout and finish as runners-up in the league.
- TS Galaxy Player of the Month: In November 2023, Nurkovic was named TS Galaxy Player of the Month for his impressive performances in the DStv Premiership League. This award was a testament to his impact on the team and his ability to consistently perform at a high level.
- TS Galaxy Player of the Season: At the end of the 2023/24 season, Nurkovic was named TS Galaxy Player of the Season. This award was well-deserved as he had played a crucial role in helping the team finish in the top half of the league table.
Overall, Nurkovic’s awards and honors are a testament to his talent and hard work on the pitch. He continues to be a key player for TS Galaxy and is expected to achieve even more success in the future.
Future Prospects and Retirement Plans
Samir Nurkovic is still in the prime of his career and has many years of football ahead of him. At the age of 31, he has already achieved a lot, but he still has plenty of goals to achieve. He is currently playing for TS Galaxy FC, and his contract expires on May 31, 2024, according to Transfermarkt.
Nurkovic has shown that he is a very talented player, and he has the potential to play at an even higher level. His performances in the Premier Soccer League have been impressive, and he has already won several individual awards. If he continues to work hard and perform well, he could attract interest from top clubs in Europe.
When it comes to retirement plans, Nurkovic has not yet made any public statements. However, it is likely that he will continue to play football for several more years. He is still enjoying the game and has not shown any signs of slowing down.
Overall, Nurkovic’s future prospects look bright, and he has the potential to achieve even more in his career.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the notable achievements of Samir Nurkovic in his football career?
Samir Nurkovic has had a successful football career so far. He has won several individual awards, including the Premier Soccer League (PSL) Player of the Month award in September 2019 and the PSL Player of the Season award in the 2019/20 season. He was also the top scorer in the 2019/20 PSL season with 13 goals. In addition, Nurkovic played a crucial role in helping Kaizer Chiefs reach the final of the 2019/20 Telkom Knockout Cup.
How has Samir Nurkovic’s playing style evolved over his career?
Samir Nurkovic is a versatile striker who can play as a target man or as a second striker. He is known for his physicality, aerial ability, and clinical finishing. Over the course of his career, Nurkovic has become more adept at holding up the ball and bringing his teammates into play. He has also improved his movement off the ball, making him a more difficult player to mark.
What clubs has Samir Nurkovic played for and what impact did he have on those teams?
Samir Nurkovic has played for several clubs throughout his career, including Pohronie, Slovan Duslo Šaľa, Dunajská Streda ViOn Zlaté Moravce, Kaizer Chiefs, Spartak Vráble, and TS Galaxy. Nurkovic had a successful stint at Kaizer Chiefs, where he scored 23 goals in 53 appearances and helped the team reach the final of the 2019/20 Telkom Knockout Cup. He joined TS Galaxy in 2023 and has since become a key player for the team.
What is the international career record of Samir Nurkovic?
Samir Nurkovic has not represented his country at the international level.
How do Samir Nurkovic’s statistics compare to other forwards in his league?
Samir Nurkovic has been one of the most prolific forwards in the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) in recent years. In the 2019/20 season, he scored 13 goals in 23 appearances, making him the league’s top scorer. His overall record for Kaizer Chiefs was 23 goals in 53 appearances. Nurkovic’s goal-scoring record is comparable to other top forwards in the league.
What injuries has Samir Nurkovic sustained throughout his career and how have they affected his play?
Samir Nurkovic has had a few injury setbacks throughout his career, including a knee injury that kept him out of action for several weeks during the 2020/21 season. However, he has generally been able to stay relatively injury-free and has maintained a high level of performance on the field.
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