Nemanja Vidić

Nemanja Vidić is a centre back, born 21 October 1981 in Titovo Užice, Serbia.

From 1989 Nemanja started his youth career joining the Jedinstvo Putevi academy. During five years he was a trainee and took part in the youth team games. In 1994 Vidić had moved to the Sloboda Užice academy and trained there during two years before he was noticed by scouts of one of the best Serbian clubs. In 1996 Nemanja had a demonstration game in Red Star Belgrade and soon moved there to continue his training.

In 2000 the young back was offered to sign for the club and to become a regular. Nemanja accepted the offer and signed a four-year contract. He immediately was sent on loan, because there was no place for him in the first team and the back had to gain more practice and experience.

In 2000 Vidić went on loan to Spartak Subotica and made 27 appearances for the temporary club, scoring six goals.

After the end of his loan spell, Nemanja started to take an active part in Red Star Belgrade matches and after some time he became a regular. Till 2004, not including a loan spell, Nemanja Vidić played in 67 matches and netted 12 goals.

In 2004 Vidić’s career underwent a change for the best as Spartak Moscow scouts paid attention to the young back that was thought to be very promising, physically and technically fit and with a great vision of the field. In 2004 Nemanja signed for the Russian club and played for it till 2006, making 39 appearances and contributing four goals.

In 2006 the Serbian back attracted the attention of the English side Manchester United that decided to buy the footballer for £7 million. Nemanja signed a long-term contract with the club and played for it till 2014, being the key centre back. From 2010/2011 Vidić was a captain of the team, succeeding Gary Neville.

In 2014 the 32-year-old Nemanja felt he was no longer able to compete on the top level which Premier League was and completed a move to Internazionale.

From 2002 till 2011 Nemanja was capped 56 times for the Serbia national team and delivered two goals.