Filip Kljajić (footballer)

Filip Kljajić (Serbian Cyrillic: Филип Кљајић; born 16 August 1990) is a Serbian football goalkeeper, who plays for Partizan. He is a son of Dušan Kljajić.

Early career

Born in Belgrade, Kljajić spent some period in Red Star Belgrade youth categories. He started his senior career with Hajduk Beograd, making 8 appearances in Serbian First League. He was declared as a man of the match 3 times with average rating 7.31. Next of Hajduk Beograd, he left to Jagnjilo, and joined Šumadija for 2009–10 season. Kljajić played 28 times, with average rating 7.31, and was declared as a man of the match 2 times. He also played for Šumadija in first half of 2010–11 season and made 13 appearances.

Metalac Gornji Milanovac

Kljajić signed with Metalac for second half of season, and mainly was a reserve for Dejan Bogunović. Interestingly, he was licensed with squad number 9, atypically for goalkeepers. He was in first 11 3 times. On the beginning of season, Kljajić changed his jersey number, and took 12. He shared his position with Živko Živković, but he was selected as a first choice in front of goal 17 times. He was also declared as the best on the field 3 times.

Rad

After Metalac's relegation from SuperLiga, Kljajić joined Rad. Coach Nikolić included him in first 11 24 times in front of his competitors Branislav Danilović, Aleksandar Jovanović and Boris Radunović. On 10 November 2013, Kljajić saved penalty kick from Dragan Mrđa. For the first half of 2013–14 season Kljajić made 14 appearances, and was declared as a man of the match 1 time. After 2014, he received the contract termination on the detriment of the club.

Partizan

On 14 February 2014, Kljajić came to Partizan and signed a four-year contract with Partizan and took the number 12 on shirt. After signing for Partizan, Kljajić was sent to Teleoptik, on loan. He collected 12 games in second half of 2013–14.

Kljajić returned to Partizan at the beginning of new season, as a competitor of Milan Lukač and Živko Živković, his rival from Metalac. Coach Marko Nikolić, who also trained Kljajić in Rad included him in first 11 in Serbian Cup against Sloga Petrovac na Mlavi. He was in protocol several times, but made no league debut. He has also been on the bench four times, in UEFA Europa League, two times against Beşiktaş, one time against Tottenham Hotspur and Asteras Tripoli. During the season he was not given a chance beside Milan Lukač and Živko Živković, mainly defended in friendly matches and several times was on the bench. On 1 November 2015, Kljajić made his debut for Partizan in SuperLiga against his former club, Metalac in 1–0 away defeat. Four days later, he made his debut for the club in Europa League group stage against Athletic Bilbao at San Mamés. Two weeks later, Kljajić made his second cap in Europa League in a 1–2 away victory over AZ. In 2015–16 season Kljajić made 13 appearances in all competitions.

Kljajić made his international debut for the Serbia national football team in a friendly 3-0 loss to Qatar, played on 29 September 2016, under coach Slavoljub Muslin.

Club

As of 15 December 2016

International

As of 29 September 2016

Partizan

• Serbian SuperLiga: 2014–15
• Serbian Cup: 2015–16

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