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Predrag Rajkovic signed this afternoon on a five-year-deal at Maccabi Tel Aviv having joined from Serbian Red Star Belgrade.

 

The 19-year-old Serbian goalkeeper who landed in Israel this morning and successfully underwent a medical before putting pen to paper.
Rajkovic, who will wear the number 95 jersey at Maccabi, began his senior career in the 2011/12 when he made his senior debut at his boyhood club Jagodina. In 2013, Rajkovic was sold to Red Star where despite his young age was named as captain.   
Rajkovic represented Serbia at U-16’s level before winning the European Championship with Serbia’s U-19’s. Two years later, Rajkovic led Serbia as captain to a victory in the U-20’s World Cup which took place in New Zealand where he also won the best goalkeeper award.

 

Maccabi’s CEO Martin Bain said: “The signing of Predrag Rajkovic has been a result of recent discussions between Mitch Goldhar, Jordi Cruyff, Slavisa Jokanovic and myself. There is no doubt given the significant investment we have made in such a young and highly rated talent, that this reflects our ambition in both our short term goals and continued development of the clubs’ strategy. There were a number of top European clubs expressing interest in Rajkovic and we are delighted to have secured his signature on a five-year-deal”.

Juan Pablo has been released by the club. Maccabi Tel Aviv's 'keeper over the last couple of seasons told the official website: "I was delighted to be part of Maccabi Tel Aviv over the past two seasons and help the club win trophies. I am grateful for the love and appreciation I received from Maccabi's fans and would like to be remembered in Israel as a professional but before that as a good person. I have nothing but gratitude for the opportunity I was given to play for Maccabi and I will always remain a fan of the club where i left my teammates and many other friends".

Jordi told the clubs’ official website: “This has been one of the most painful and difficult decisions that we had to take in recent times at Maccabi Tel Aviv. Juan Pablo has been a very loyal and dedicated player and was pivotal to the clubs’ success during his two seasons at the club and our recent European campaign.
I know I speak personally on behalf of everyone at the club and anyone connected with Maccabi, to wish him all the very best in the future”. 

In Addition, the club has agreed terms with Daniel Lifshitz for a season loan.