Bengaluru FC sign Montenegrin defender Slavko Damjanovic

Bengaluru FC, on Wednesday, announced the signing of Montenegrin center-back Slavko Damjanovic on a one-year deal that runs through to the end of the 2023-24 season.

Damjanovic, who most recently turned out for ATK Mohun Bagan, was part of the side that won the Indian Super League title and was previously part of Chennaiyin FC in 2021.

“I'm excited to be a part of the Bengaluru FC family. The club has had two great seasons but has been unlucky not to win the Indian Super League title. I'm looking forward to meeting my teammates, the coaching staff, and the supporters. The aim is to give the fans the Indian Super League title, and I hope to be part of a squad that has a successful season,” said Damjanovic after putting pen to paper on his deal.

Born in Niksic, Montenegro, part of the erstwhile Yugoslavia, Damjanovic turned out for Montenegrin clubs Čelik Nikšić, Mogren, Sutjeska Nikšić, and Mornar before moving to Serbia and playing with Spartak Subotica and Bačka 1901.

Damjanovic went on to have stints in South Africa, Hungary, and Uzbekistan before signing for Chennaiyin FC in 2021.

“Slavko is a well-experienced ISL defender who impressed when he played for ATK Mohun Bagan against us last year. He’ll bring a fantastic attitude, winning mentality, strength, and balance to our defensive unit. Overall, I’m pleased to sign him because we’re bringing in a bit of experience that we’ll need after losing Sandesh (Jhingan), and I’m looking forward to working with him,” said Blues’ Head Coach Simon Grayson.

Damjanovic, who stands at 6'2”, has 29 ISL appearances to his name across two seasons and scored his only ISL goal in February 2023, when he opened the scoring in the Kolkata derby as ATK Mohun Bagan won 2-0 against East Bengal.

Slavko is the first of the Blues’ foreign signings ahead of the new season, with the club having already announced the arrivals of winger Halicharan Narzary and goalkeeper Vikram Singh.