It was without doubt the most resounding transfer of the winter. A transfer that, in addition to its cost of over 70,000,000 euros, also had a personal stamp. Not only because of the money that he will put in his own pocket, but above all because he chose the target even though the suitors are lined up at his feet and have spread a “golden” carpet.

We’re also referring to Dusan Vlahovic on his transfer to Juventus, a deal the 22-year-old Serbian forward agreed to. It’s rare these days for a footballer to make it clear where he wants his career to continue while sacrificing the money he might have made had it been auctioned off.

From Partizan to Juventus

As a kid from Belgrade and a fan of Partizan, it was in a way natural that he wanted to play for the champions team, which will wear the same kit as his favourite. He preferred the black and white appearance of “Vekia Siniora” and in this way “captured” his old team (Fiorentina) and the new one to sit down at the negotiating table and find them.

After all, how would it look if the Juventus fans had an open invitation from such a capable striker and the club to whistle indifferently? There was no such case…

Vlahovic with 190 cm boy and left foot dynamite left “Viola” with a dowry of 108 appearances, 49 goals and 8 assists. In other words, he’s been ‘in’ by one goal in two games in one of the most demanding leagues in the world. No problem for him.

After all, he learned from an early age to do everything quickly and very well. At 18, he was the youngest player to play for Fiorentina in the “Liga”. The youngest to play in the “Classic” of Belgrade (Partizan – Red Star) at the age of 16 while already scoring a goal! He was also the youngest to play professionally for the Serbian club.

The lost brother tattoo

Dusan Vlahovic was born when the war in his homeland was over. However, by the time the former Yugoslavia “killed” him to secession, his family had to move three times. And like most families, she mourns the loss of a member during the bloody conflict.

This is his older brother, in the picture of which Dusan “hit” a tattoo on his right arm. His parents’ original wish was to study medicine. He was a very good student, he could have supported such a prospect by going to college but in the end he didn’t need to as football won him over.

From “Athens” in Turin

Seeing young Dushan’s call to football, his parents Milos and Slantiana enrolled him in a similar school.

His name is “Athens”. He joined at the age of 7 but played with teammates and opponents a year older from the first training sessions. A few months later, his team promoted him to leader, due to his strong personality but also the militancy that characterizes him alongside his rich talent.

Ibrahimovic and Holland

Besides football, he enjoyed spending his time learning martial arts as another Ibrahimovic. There were many who see something of the giant Zlatan in his face, while some compare him to Erlind Halland, another “wonder” of nature, due to his speed, explosion and physical abilities.

As a top academy player taking his first steps, it wasn’t long before he attracted the interest of bigger clubs. The first team to spot him was OFK Belgrade, but he only stayed there for three months before the Red Star ‘snapped’ him.

But he didn’t stay there long as Pantaleo Corvino, Partizan’s sporting director who previously discovered/promoted players like Kezman, Mitrovic, Jovetic, Jovic, approached his parents and reached the Colpo Grosso. Of course, he had to sign his first professional contract at the age of 15 and immediately join the Partizan first team.

Florence and … Batistuta

He caused a stir with Partizan and linked his name early to winning three trophies (a league and two cups). The next step could be in Belgium or England as Anderlecht and Arsenal made proposals for his takeover, but in the end Fiorentina won.

It was February 2018, shortly after Davide Astori’s tragic death of a heart attack. First, she joined the “Primavera”, helped the second team of “Viola” to become champions, and then rose to the big salons of Serie A.

His evolution was such that some saw something of the giant Gabriel Batistuta on his face. The rest is more or less known. The only thing that is certain is that Dusan Vlahovic’s story on the green carpet will have many more episodes and, if it continues as it started, more goals.