Mihael Kovačević

Mihael Kovačević (born 6 March 1988) is a Swiss professional footballer who currently plays for Nyíregyháza Spartacus in the Hungarian Nemzeti Bajnokság I. Kovačević, who plays as a defender, had previously played for Koper, Dundee United, Zadar, Ross County and Beroe Stara Zagora.

Of Croatian descent, Kovačević was born in Basel, Switzerland, and began his career with spells across Europe, playing for BSC Old Boys in Switzerland, Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia and FC Koper in Slovenia, before arriving in Scotland for a trial period at Tannadice.

After impressing manager Craig Levein in a trial, Mihael signed for Dundee United during the January 2008 transfer window. He made his debut a month later in a battling 0–0 draw with Celtic at Celtic Park. He won a runners-up medal in the 2008 Scottish League Cup Final, which was only his second match for the club, after the narrow defeat to Rangers at Hampden Park. Mihael made a further three first team starts before the end of the 2007–08 season.

He made more of an impact on the first team the following year, sharing the right back position with Seán Dillon. Both defenders played approximately the same amount of matches throughout the season. With manager Craig Levein utilising Mihael for his defensive abilities instead of Sean’s more attacking style of play when required. Soon at the start of the season, Kovačević suffered a broken cheekbone, which results him wear a specially-fitted facemask. Following from his injury, Kovačević was an un-used substitute for the last six matches.

The following season, Kovačević continued his run in the first team, and in the quarter final of the Scottish Cup he scored his first goal for the club, which equalised in a 3–3 draw against Rangers, which results both team to play in the replay; United would win 1–0 in the replay match. After a match-draw against Rangers, Kovačević made criticism on Kris Boyd for diving in order to win a penalty during the match, which they win two penalties and hit back on referee Dougie McDonald for his role during the match. With the win over Rangers, Dundee United would progress to the final and Kovačević was part of the United team that finished third in the 2009–10 Scottish Premier League and won the 2009–10 Scottish Cup. Another match against Rangers, but in the league with both side drew 0–0, Kovačević was sent-off for a professional foul after he aimed kicking at Kyle Lafferty. After the match, Manager Peter Houston says Kovačević deserve to be sent-off. Towards the end of the season, Kovačević suffered an injury on his muscular problems. Eventually, Kovačević made a return, just in time for the final.

Ahead of a new season, Kovačević damaged cruciate knee ligaments during a trip to visit his family in Switzerland, which will leave him out for four months, leading the club wanted him to go on a knee operation. His injury led him having his future at Dundee is uncertain as his contract set to expire in January. Eventually, Kovačević signed a new contract, that will keep him until the end of the season. However, his injury was put out again and shortly making a recovery, Kovačević expected to make a comeback. Towards the end of the season, Kovačević received a red card once again in a 4–0 against Rangers. He was released from the club after spending most of the 2010–11 season out injured.

After not being offered a new deal with Dundee United in summer of 2011, he signed for NK Zadar as a free agent in October 2011. Kovačević made his debut with NK Zadar in Croatian First League against his former club Dinamo Zagreb, in a game which Zadar surprisingly won against Champions League contestant.

Kovačević then returned to Scotland in July 2012, signing for Ross County, having previously went on the trial with the club. After the move, Kovačević says the club can stay in the SPL very unexpectedly. Having spent time on the bench for the next five games, Kovačević finally made his debut against - his former club in a 1–1 draw, having come on as a substitute for Ross Tokely on 14 September 2012. Due to the absent of Tokely, Kovačević soon took up the right-back and since established himself in the first team.

It was confirmed on 21 May 2013 that Kovačević had been handed a contract extension as a reward for the fifth-placed finish in the SPL.

On 22 January 2014, Kovačević was released by Ross County.

In July 2014, he signed with Beroe in the A PFG.

He has played for both Switzerland and Croatia at Under-21 level.

In November 2008, Kovačević received his first call-up to the Switzerland under-21 side.

On 31 December 2010, it was announced that Kovačević is to appear in court after being accused of driving at 104 mph in a 40 mph zone, having driven his Audi A8 4-2 Quattro dangerously and at "grossly excessive speeds" on Dundee's East Dock Street, which happened two months ago. After a month of the case, Kovačević was sentenced to carry out the community service and fined him £700 and disqualified him from driving for 14 months. Kovačević admitted driving dangerously and at grossly excessive speeds, having been confused over the speed limit. As to carry out community service, Kovacevic was told by the court that he needed to do the community service in order to an example" to young people. Shortly after the court appearance, The Scottish Sun named Kovačević as Scottish football’s worst speeding offender.

During his time at Dundee United, Kovačević shared a flat with team-mates Andis Shala and David Robertson, while Morgaro Gomis, Francisco Sandaza and Prince Buaben live next door in Dundee.

Dundee United

• Scottish Cup : 1

2010

• Scottish League Cup Runner-up: 1

2007–08