Adem Ljacic To Join Zoran Tosic In Switch From Partizan Belgrade To Manchester United

As I suspected in one of my earlier posts here Manchester United have also signed Adem Ljacic in a double transfer deal with Zoran Tosic. Tosic was cleared for a work permit 2 weeks ago in London, now we await the same application by Ljacic which should also go smoothly leaving the pair free to join Manchester United in the January transfer window.

The highly-rated Serbs will link up with compatriot Nemanja Vidic at Old Trafford in 2009 after agreement was reached with their club. Sir Alex Ferguson sees the wide players as useful additions to his squad, although teenager Ljajic is remaining at Partizan until the end of the campaign. The players travelled to Manchester after the match against Vojvodina and Tosic is expected to put pen-to-paper on his contract, which will start from January.

Tosic said in a recent interview: "I'm going to Manchester to do a medical exam, but I will return in three days, I hope everything will be okay, but I must confess that it's hard to leave my club Partizan. When I was replaced in the game against Vojvodina, it was so strange and a hard feeling. I sat on the bench any said to myself this could be my last game for Partizan. But I hope that I will return one day. Of course, there is a big feeling of pride, I'm off to sign for the biggest club in the world, which is my favourite from my early years. My goal is to continue progress as footballer and I want to show Manchester United that my transfer wasn't a bad thing."

Ljacic said of his impending move: "I was in Manchester once as a guest, I had a chance to look at how things are going on in a big club and now I will have another look. I'm staying in Partizan at least until the end of the season and then we will see what happens."

Ljacic is a highly thought of attacking or right midfielder for Partizan, considered one of Serbia's biggest talents and his abilities have led to him being nicknamed Little Kaka.

Ljajić made an appearance for Partizan in the first leg of the 2nd qualifying round of the 2008-09 UEFA Champions League on July 29, 2008, entering the match as a second-half substitute. He made a second substitute appearance in the second leg and another substitute appearance in the second leg of the 3rd qualifying round. He is the first Partizan player to wear the number 22 since Sasa Ilic left in 2005.

The 17 year-old midfielder had recent trials at Old Trafford, but it's emerged Real Madrid have also been in contact. Manchester United remain in the boxseat for Ljajic, however, with Partizan eager to secure a relationship with the European champs

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Zoran Tosic Granted A Work Permit To Play At Manchester United

As I previously reported, Zoran Tosic had signed for Manchester United but there was the outstanding matter of getting a work permit for him as he had only played in 43% of his countries internationals instead of the required 75%.

Today he has been cleared to join Manchester United from Partizan Belgrade after being granted a work permit by British authorities. The 21 year old will join up with national team-mate Nemanja Vidic at Old Trafford in January after the permit was granted at a Home Office (interior ministry) hearing attended by United boss Alex Ferguson.

Manchester United have not made public the fee they have agreed but it is though to be in the region of £8m. Tosic will face a tough fight to break into United's first team with Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani already established at the club. Ryan Giggs is also still an option for Ferguson in terms of wide men, although the veteran is more often deployed in midfield these days. United are also keeping tabs on another promising Partizan youngster, 19-year-old midfielder Adam Ljajic......
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Zoran Tosic Signs For Manchester United For £8m

Manchester United have agreed an £8 million deal for Partizan Belgrade winger Zoran Tosic. The deal will be completed in the January transfer window subject to Tosic being granted a work permit next week.

The 21-year-old left winger became a target for Manchester United, Arsenal and Real Madrid after playing a big part for Serbia in last years U21 Euro Championships. Serbia made it to the final of this tournament. He made his debut for Serbia on March 23, 2007.

In order to qualify for a work permit a player must have appeared in 75% of their countries matches in the previous year but Tosic has only 6 from 14 or 43%. Chris Waddle has been appointed to the panel to hear this case by the Home Office.

As I said earlier Tosic is currently playing for Partizan Belgrade but he began his career with Proleter Zrenjanin before moving on to Banatski Dvor in 2005. Both of these teams actually combined forces to become FK Banat Zrenjanin. Tosic played 25 times for them in the Serbian Superliga scoring twice before making his move to Belgrade......
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United In A Dash To Sign Adem Ljajic

Manchester United must move quickly to land Partizan Belgrade starlet Adem Ljajic.

He is a Serbian attacking or right midfielder for Serbian Superliga club FK Partizan, considered one of Serbia's biggest talents and his abilities have led to him being nicknamed Little Kaka.

Ljajić made an appearance for Partizan in the first leg of the 2nd qualifying round of the 2008-09 UEFA Champions League on July 29, 2008, entering the match as a second-half substitute. He made a second substitute appearance in the second leg and another substitute appearance in the second leg of the 3rd qualifying round. He is the first Partizan player to wear the number 22 since Sasa Ilic left in 2005.

The 17 year-old midfielder had recent trials at Old Trafford, but it's emerged Real Madrid have also been in contact. Manchester United remain in the boxseat for Ljajic, however, with Partizan eager to secure a relationship with the European champs.....Back To Home Page

Partizan Belgrade Clear Manchester United Of Any Wrong Doing

Partizan Belgrade have denied that talented teenager Adem Ljajic has linked up with Manchester United against their will. Which is a bit of a shot in the eye for the accusers, our beloved Real Madrid. They were casting aspertions about United's approach for Adem, which has now been confirmed as bull excrement by Partizan themselves !!

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has managed to secure the midfielder on trial after being tipped off on his potential by scout Budimir Vujacic.

With the 17-year-old elaborately dubbed 'The Little Kaka' in some quarters, it was surprising that United had managed to steal a march on his many admirers by acting so swiftly. However, Partizan have insisted they did not expect him to return to Belgrade after an Under-19 international match in Northern Ireland and gave full permission to United to run the rule over the player.

Darko Gubor, the club secretary for Partizan told nogomet.com "It is not true that Ljajic went to England without permission, we have been in contact with Manchester United for some time now and Ljajic was with the international team in Britain at this moment so it was handy for him to go on trial now. We want to co-operate with Manchester United and this is only the first step. I repeat Ljajic went to Manchester with Partizan's permission and all I can say regarding his potential move to United is that he is still a very young player who is at the beginning of his career."

Ljajic, who has impressed in a right-wing role, will spend a few days with the United youth set-up after helping Serbia hammer England 4-1 in the Under-19 European Championship qualifiers in Newry on Monday night and also defeating Northern Ireland 3-1 in the competition.....Back To Home Page