Marko Pantelić

Marko Pantelić
Personal information
Full name	Marko Pantelić
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s)	Striker
Team information
Current team	Hertha BSC Berlin
Number	9
	‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 20 November 2008

Marko Pantelić (Serbian Cyrillic: Марко Пантелић; born 15 September 1978 in Belgrade, Serbia, SFR Yugoslavia) is a Serbian footballer currently playing for Hertha BSC Berlin.

Club career

Early years

As Marko was coming up through the Red Star Belgrade youth system, his father got a job in Thessaloniki and took the family to Greece. Marko was still only 14 years old when he signed a professional contract with Iraklis FC where he spent two and a half years. At 17 he accepted an offer from Paris Saint Germain and soon found himself training and playing alongside stars like Raí, Marco Simone and Leonardo. Finding playing time at PSG in short supply he moved on to FC Lausanne-Sport for a season – scoring 14 goals in 21 Swiss league matches.

Next stop was Celta Vigo, including a short loan spell at Sturm Graz.

Back to Serbia: Obilić, FK Smederevo, and Red Star Belgrade

In the summer of 2002, Pantelić returned home to Serbia, unsuccessfully attempting to negotiate a transfer to Red Star Belgrade, and eventually signing with FK Sartid via FK Obilić. Barely 24 years of age, he was essentially starting over as many were quick to write him off as yet another prospect whose career was derailed by going abroad too soon.

After settling in, he quickly established himself as the team's leader, spearheading them to the Yugoslav Cup title in 2003. Glowing performances in Smederevo didn't go unnoticed by Red Star, and in January 2004 Pantelić became their biggest mid-season signing.

Hertha BSC Berlin

After securing a loan move to Hertha for €250,000 on 31 August 2005 – the last day of transfer window – he went on to score eleven goals in 28 league matches during 2005/06 Bundesliga season. In April 2006, he permanently moved to Hertha for an additional €1.5 million fee and soon established himself as one of the most formidable strikers in the Hertha squad.

Right after getting signed permanently, he responded with an even better season with 14 goals from 32 matches in 2006–07 Bundesliga.

Next season, 2007–08, brought more steady play with 13 goals from 28 league matches.

External links