Maccabi Haifa Signs Experienced Forward Andrija Novakovich After Long European Journey
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
Andrija Novakovich, an American forward of Serbian descent, has joined Maccabi Haifa after a diverse European career. He bypassed the traditional American college soccer path to play in England, the Netherlands, and Italy, gaining valuable experience and scoring consistently. Now 29, he brings a blend of technical skill and work ethic to his new Israeli club.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Andrija Novakovich joined Maccabi Haifa at age 29 after extensive European experience.
- He bypassed the typical American college soccer route to join Reading FC in England at 17.
- Novakovich holds a British passport through his English-born mother, easing his move to Europe.
- A loan to Dutch club Telstar was pivotal, where he scored 22 goals in 38 games.
- He played 229 Serie B matches in Italy, scoring 33 goals and providing 25 assists.
- Novakovich emphasizes hard work and team success over personal glory.
At 29 years old, Andrija Novakovich has joined Maccabi Haifa, bringing with him a wealth of experience from European football. Born in Muskego, Wisconsin, to Serbian parents, Novakovich grew up immersed in Serbian culture and soccer, playing alongside family and community members. Despite being American, he maintains strong ties to his Serbian heritage and has represented the United States national team three times in 2018.
Novakovich’s path to professional football was unconventional for an American player. Instead of following the typical route through high school and college soccer, he chose to forgo a college scholarship and moved to England at 17 to join Reading FC. This decision was supported by his family and eased by his British passport through his mother, who grew up in England. His early career included loans to lower-tier English clubs and a significant setback due to illness.
A turning point came when Reading’s coach, Jaap Stam, advised him to take a loan move to the Netherlands. Playing for Telstar in the Dutch second division, Novakovich found his scoring form with 22 goals in 38 games, which propelled his career forward. He later played in Italy’s Serie B for several clubs, including Frosinone, Venezia, Bari, and Reggiana, accumulating 33 goals and 25 assists in 229 matches.
Standing 1.93 meters tall, Novakovich is often labeled a target man, but he emphasizes his technical skills and desire to contribute beyond just heading the ball. He cites Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thierry Henry, and Dennis Bergkamp as his inspirations. Throughout his career, Novakovich has stressed the importance of hard work and team success over personal accolades.
Now at Maccabi Haifa, Novakovich arrives as a seasoned professional ready to write the next chapter of his career. His journey from Wisconsin to Europe and now Israel reflects persistence and steady progress rather than overnight stardom.
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