Pero Pejić

Pero Pejić (born 28 November 1982) is a Croatian retired professional footballer who played as a striker.[1]

Pero Pejić
Pejić with Esteghlal in 2016.
Personal information
Full name Pero Pejić
Date of birth (1982-11-28) 28 November 1982
Place of birth Makarska, SFR Yugoslavia
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Striker
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2002 Vrbovec
2002–2003 Croatia Sesvete
2003–2007 Slaven Belupo 90 (12)
2007–2008 Dinamo Tirana 45 (24)
2008–2010 Kapfenberger SV 13 (2)
2010 Croatia Sesvete 13 (1)
2010–2011 Tirana 28 (14)
2011 Al-Faisaly 8 (1)
2011–2012 Flamurtari Vlorë 13 (9)
2012–2014 Skënderbeu Korçë 53 (32)
2014–2015 Kukësi 35 (31)
2015–2016 Esteghlal 13 (3)
2016–2017 Kukësi 34 (28)
2017–2018 Slaven Belupo 22 (3)
National team
2003 Croatia U20 1 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

With over 100 goals to his name, he is the highest scoring foreign player in Albanian football history. In 2015, Pero Pejić was one of the top 5 goalscorers in Europe.[2]

Club career

Early career

Pejić began his career at local club NK Zmaj Makarska but soon moved to play for Vrbovec in 2000. After two years at the club, he decided to move to Croatia Sesvete, from there he moved to a bigger club, Slaven Belupo. After three and a half years at the Koprivnica club moved abroad for the first time to play for Albanian side Dinamo Tirana.

Dinamo Tirana

Pejić moved to Dinamo Tirana in January 2007 and became an immediate hit with fans and players alike, with his scoring ability and his general presence in the side. His first game in Albania was on 3 February 2007 away from home against Kastrioti Krujë in a hard-fought victory.[3] He had to wait until 28 April for his first goal, which was to come in the Tirana derby against Tirana, Pejić scored in the 27th minute but it would prove to be only a consolation as the match was lost 2–1.[4]

However that goal was to open the floodgates of the strikers scoring in Albania, as he managed to hit four goals past Shkumbini Peqin the next week in an emphatic 5–0 victory.[5] The 2006–07 season was not a successful one for Dinamo Tirana as they did not win any trophies and the club only managed a 5th-place finish, although Pejić did score 6 times in 13 games for his side.[6]

He started the 2007–08 season by scoring a hat-trick in the matchday 3 against Kastrioti Krujë, giving his team a comfortable 4–0 home win.[7] Throughout the season, Pejić scored 18 league goals in 31 appearances, as Dinamo Tirana clinched its 17 Albanian Superliga title.[8]

Kapfenberger SV

In July 2008, he moved to Austria with Kapfenberger SV. His debut in the Austrian top division came on 27 July 2008 against Red Bull Salzburg, after some delay because of the players pass, he came on as a 68th minute replacement for Arno Kozelsky. In the 2008–09 season, he scored in twelve league games completed two hits. After only one use in the 2009–10 season, he was dismissed by the Croatian Association for sports but also for disciplinary reasons[9]

Return to Croatia Sesvete

In December 2010, he returned to his original club Croatia Sesvete.[10]

Tirana
Pejić in action with Tirana during a league match

On 22 June 2010, Pejić returned to Albania by signing a one-year contract with Tirana for €300,000.[11] He was handed squad number 22, and made his competitive debut on 1 July in the goalless draw against Zalaegerszegi in the 2010–11 UEFA Europa League first qualifying round.[12] Tirana progressed to the next round by winning the second match 1–0 after extra time, where they were eliminated 5–1 on aggregate by Utrecht; Pejić played in both matches, and ended his European campaign with four matches.[13]

Pejić made his domestic debut on 22 August in the 1–1 away draw against Elbasani,[14] and scored his first goals for the team in the matchday 3 against Bylis Ballsh, giving his team the first victory of the season.[15]

Flamurtari Vlorë

Pejić signed for Flamurtari Vlorë on 10 January 2012, along with fellow Croatian Toni Pezo.[16] He made his league debut on 11 February in the 0–1 away win against Kamza,[17] and scored his first goal on 4 March in the 1–1 draw against Teuta Durrës in his second appearance.[18]

Skënderbeu Korçë

On 1 August 2012, Pejić joined the reigning champions Skënderbeu Korçë on a free transfer. He scored a hat-trick in his league debut on 24 August in the opening league match against Vllaznia Shkodër, which finished in a 3–1 win.[19] He followed that by scoring in team's 1–1 home draw against Bylis Ballsh.[20] Pejić continued with his solid performances by scoring his fifth league goal of the season in the 3–0 home win against Laçi in the matchday 4.[21]

In his Albanian Cup debut for the club, Pejić scored twice in an eventual 7–2 thrashing of Olimpic in the first leg of the first round.[22] Later on 27 October, Pejić scored both goals in the league encounter against his former club Tirana, placing Skënderbeu in the first place; that was his eighth league goal of the season and tenth overall.[23] He added another two to his tally during the match against Flamurtari Vlorë, which finished in a 3–1 home win.[24]

On 15 December, Pejić scored two times in the 4–2 convincing win against Kukësi in the first match of Albanian Cup Group A.[25] He scored again in this competitions four days later in the 2–1 win against Kastrioti Krujë.[26]

Pejić started 2013 by scoring two goals in the 5–1 home win against Kastrioti Krujë in the team's first competitive match of the year.[27] After going scoreless in the next two matches, Pejić returned on the scoresheet on 24 February during the 3–0 win against Bylis Ballsh.[28] During the match, he suffered in injury which kept him sidelined for the match against Laçi. He returned on the field on 9 March in the match against Tomori Berat by entering as a substitute, and scored his first goal after three months during the 4–3 away defeat to Kukësi.[29][30] Pejić finished the season by scoring 18 goals between league and cup in 29 appearances, as Skënderbeu Korçë were crowned champions of Albania for the third consecutive season.[30]

Kukësi

On 16 June 2014, Pejić joined Kukësi on free agent, signing a one-year contract with worth €80,000 a year.[31] He was handed squad number 22, a number which he previously held with Skënderbeu Korçë.[32] During his presentation, the Croatian striker explained that the reason he signed with Kukësi was due to the expiry of his contract with Skënderbeu on 31 May and because a debt which the club had not paid to him.[33] This was the reason why he did not sign the renewal contract with Albanian champions.

He made his competitive debut on 24 August in the opening league match of the season against Vllaznia Shkodër at Loro Boriçi Stadium, scoring the first of the match in an eventual 2–1 win.[34] He followed that by scoring in the 3–0 home win against the newly promoted side Elbasani on 31 August.[35] He returned in the scoresheet on 26 September in the matchday 5, scoring the lone goal against Apolonia Fier.[36] On 1 October, in the first leg of Albanian Cup first round, Pejić scored twice to help the team overcome the 1–0 disadvantage against the underdogs of Vora.[37] He continued with his goalscoring form, scoring the winner against Teuta Durrës on 5 October and another two against Elbasani on 2 November.[38] Pejić started December with a brace against Teuta Durrës on 12th, helping the team to win the match 0–3,[39] and later scored the only goal in the 1–0 victory against Flamurtari Vlorë. Kukësi ended the first part of the season as the "winter champions" with 38 points, while Pejić scored 10 goals in 17 matches.

Esteghlal
Pejić with Sajjad Shahbazzadeh after scoring a goal against Saipa, 28 April 2016

On 2 August 2015, Pejić Joined Iranian Pro League club Esteghlal signing a two-year contract.[40] On 14 August 2015, he made his debut for Esteghlal in a match against Zob Ahan. He scored his debut goal in a Hazfi Cup match against Shahrdari Semnan. On 20 November 2015, Pejić came off the bench in the 86th minute and scored the second goal in a 2–0 away victory over Foolad.

Return to Kukësi

Pejić returned to Albania and despite interest from several Albanian Superliga clubs he decided to return to Kukësi on 30 July 2016 following a year long absence.[41][42] He made his return debut on 25 August in the 2016 Albanian Supercup against Skënderbeu Korçë, starting and scoring his team's third goal in an eventual 3–1 win, winning his first silverware with the club.[43] He made his first league appearance of the season on 7 September in the goalless draw against Vllaznia Shkodër in the opening day,[44] and scored his first two goals in the following match, a 3–0 home win against Teuta Durrës.[45]

In September 2016, he was named Albanian Superliga Player of the Month for the second time in his career after bagging three goals in four matches.[46] He also become the first foreign player to win the award twice and the first to win it with two different teams.[46] On 1 October, in the clash against the rivals of Partizani Tirana at home, Pejić scored the lone goal, heading home a Rrahman Hallaçi cross in the 47th minute to give his team the second ever victory against the capital club.[47] On 18 December, in the match against title challengers Skënderbeu Korçë at home, Pejić scored both goals to seal a 2–0 win, becoming the first player to reach double figures in the league.[48] In the last match of 2016, Pejić scored his 11th goal of the season via penalty kick in the away confrontation against Luftëtari Gjirokastër, as Kukësi ended the first part of the league as "Winter Champions".[49]

Pejić started 2017 on 27 January in team's league match Vllaznia Shkodër, notably scoring the winner with a curled right-footed free-kick to help Kukësi extend the gap.[50] Later on 15 April, Pejić scored both goals in a 2–1 home win over Laçi to keep Kukësi top of table tied with Partizani with 5 matches remaining.[51] On 15 May, he scored his first hat-trick of the season and the 8th Albanian Superliga hat-trick against Korabi Peshkopi, becoming the third player with most hat-tricks scored in the league.[52] Five days later, in the decisive league match against Skënderbeu, Pejić produced a Man of the Match performance by scoring both goals, including a last-minute goal, as Kukësi defeated 9-man Skënderbeu 2–0 at home to be crowned Albanian Superliga champions for the first time in history.[53] It was Pejić's 4th Albanian Superliga trophy with three different teams.

Return to Slaven Belupo

On 29 July 2017, Pejić returned to his homeland and joined Croatian top flight Slaven Belupo on a one-year contract, returning at The Pharmacists after 10 years.[54] He was allocated squad number 9 for the 2017–18 season. Pejić made his return debut on 5 August by playing the second half of the 2–1 home win over Cibalia,[55] and opened his scoring account later on 26 August by netting in the 2–2 draw versus Rudeš.[56]

Personal life

Pejić is married and has two sons (twins). He speaks fluent Croatian and Albanian.

Career statistics
As of 1 October 2016[57][58]
Club statistics
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Slaven Belupo 2003–04 Prva HNL 28600——286
2004–05 15100——151
2005–06 235001[lower-alpha 1]0—245
2006–07 17100——171
Total 83130010—8413
Dinamo Tirana 2006–07 Albanian Superliga 13600——136
2007–08 311800——3118
Total 442400——4424
Kapfenberger SV 2008–09 Austrian Football Bundesliga 12230——152
2009–10 1010——20
Total 13240——172
Croatia Sesvete 2009–10 Prva HNL 13100——131
Tirana 2010–11 Albanian Superliga 2814424[lower-alpha 2]0—3616
Al-Faisaly 2011–12 Saudi Professional League 8100——81
Flamurtari Vlorë 2011–12 Albanian Superliga 13986——2115
2012–13 ——2[lower-alpha 2]0—20
Total 1398620—2315
Skënderbeu Korçë 2012–13 Albanian Superliga 231266—1[lower-alpha 3]03018
2013–14 3020314[lower-alpha 4]01[lower-alpha 3]13822
Total 53329740216840
Kukësi 2014–15 Albanian Superliga 3531541[lower-alpha 2]0—4135
2015–16 ——4[lower-alpha 2]3—43
Total 35315453—4538
Esteghlal 2015–16 Persian Gulf Pro League 13300——133
Kukësi 2016–17 Albanian Superliga 342810—1[lower-alpha 3]13529
2017–18 ——2[lower-alpha 4]1—21
Total 34281021113830
Career total 342158311918432394183
  1. Appearance in 2005 UEFA Intertoto Cup
  2. All appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
  3. Appearance in Albanian Supercup
  4. All appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League

Honours

Club
Dinamo Tirana[57]
Tirana[57]
Skënderbeu Korçë[57]
Kukësi[57]

Individual

References
  1. "Pero Pejiç" (in Albanian). FSHF.org. Archived from the original on 11 October 2016. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  2. "Pero Pejic mes 5 sulmuesve më të mirë në Europë për vitin 2015" [Pero Pejić midst top 5 strikers in Europe for 2015] (in Albanian). Gazeta Dita. 13 May 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  3. "Kastrioti Krujë 0–1 Dinamo Tirana". Football Database. 3 February 2007. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
  4. "Tirana 2–1 Dinamo Tirana". Football Database. 28 April 2007. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
  5. "Dinamo 5–0 Shkumbini Peqin". Football Database. 5 May 2007. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
  6. "Dinamo Tirana 2006–07". Football Database. 19 May 2007. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
  7. "Albania 2007/08". RSSSF.com. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  8. "Dinamo, 17 here kampione e Shqiperise!" (in Albanian). Arkiva Lajmeve. 18 May 2008. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  9. "Pejic nicht mehr im Kader" (in German). KSV-Fussball.at. Archived from the original on 20 August 2009. Retrieved 16 December 2009.
  10. "Still up for grabs". HRV Soccer. Retrieved 2 February 2010.
  11. Enea Shtrepi (22 June 2010). "Tirana/ Pejiç firmos për një vit me bardheblutë" (in Albanian). Albania Soccer. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  12. "Tirana vs. Zalaegerszegi 0 – 0". Soccerway. 22 June 2010. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  13. "Sport-Futboll/ Tirana Eleminohet Nga Europa League, Vetëm Barazim Me Utrehtin" (in Albanian). Lajme.gen.al. 22 July 2010. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  14. "Elbasani vs. Tirana 1 – 1". Soccerway. 22 August 2010. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  15. Enea Shtrepi (12 September 2010). "Kategoria Superiore/ Tirana-Bylis 2-1" (in Albanian). Albania Soccer. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  16. Elton Nika (11 January 2012). "Gjika: Ambiciet e kroatëve në unison me ato të Flamurtarit" (in Albanian). Sporti Shqiptar. Archived from the original on 13 January 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  17. "Kamza vs. Flamurtari Vlorë 0 – 1". Soccerway. 11 February 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  18. "Flamurtari Vlorë vs. Teuta Durrës 1 – 1". Soccerway. 4 March 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  19. "Tërmet 3-ballësh" i Pejiçit, kroati "ekzekuton" Vllazninë" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 25 August 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  20. Ermal Sika (16 September 2012). "Vlora bëhet makth për Skënderbeun, barazon me Bylisin në fushë anjanëse" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  21. Llazi Saro (25 September 2012). "Skënderbeu s'e lëshon kreun, thyen Laçin. Josa: Duhet të përmirësohemi" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  22. Llazi Saro (4 October 2012). "Skënderbeu "peshkon" në turin e dytë Kamzën. Gola për të tërë ndaj Olimpikut" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
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  24. "Skënderbeu Korçë vs. Flamurtari Vlorë 3 – 1". Soccerway. 21 November 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  25. Llazi Saro (16 December 2012). "Skënderbeu "shkrin" Kukësin mes acarit. Dygolësh i Pejiçit, sfidohet edhe dëbora…" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  26. Murat Aruci (20 December 2012). "Skënderbe pa "frena", dominon edhe kupën. Bomberat korçar: Jemi të papërmbajtshëm!" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  27. Llazi Saro (5 February 2012). "Skënderbeu goleadë, siguron gjysmëfinalet. Presidenti Takaj "kërcënon" me Champions" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  28. "Skënderbeu Korçë vs. Bylis Ballsh 3 – 0". Soccerway. 24 February 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  29. Llazi Saro (10 March 2013). "Skënderbeu, poker me Tomorin e dorëzuar. Josa ka rezerva: Po pësojmë shumë gola" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  30. Murat Aruci (11 May 2013). "Nga Kukësi në Korçë, kampionët korçarë priten si heronj" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  31. Jonuz Hallaçi (17 June 2014). "Firmos Pero Pejiç: Ja pse zgjodha Kukësin. Skënderbeun do ta padis në FIFA për borxhin" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  32. Jonuz Hallaçi (15 June 2014). "Kroati Pero Pejic, zyrtarisht lojtar i Kukesit" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  33. Leonidha Musaj (10 June 2014). "Sulmuesi kroat këmbëngul, Pejiç: Nuk do të vij te Skënderbeu, nëse nuk më japin paratë" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  34. Admir Uruçi (24 August 2014). "Kukësi zhyt Vllazninë, "pushton" Shkodrën. Raineri: Pas Teutës, do shihni ekipin tim" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  35. Erjon Hamitaj (31 August 2014). "Kukësi është i pari, start me hap kampioni. Verdheblutë të pafuqishëm, pa asnjë pikë" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
  36. Erjon Hamitaj (27 September 2014). "Pejiç është heroi, Kukësi fundos fierakët. Artim Shaqiri: Ne fitojmë edhe me 10 lojtarë" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
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  38. Jeton Selimi (5 October 2014). "Kukësi mposht Teutën dhe merr kryesimin" (in Albanian). Illyria Press. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  39. "Teuta Durres vs. Kukësi 0 – 3". Soccerway. 12 December 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  40. http://farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=13940511000803
  41. "Kukësi bën goditjen më të rëndësishme, kthen kroatin Pejiç" [Kukësi makes the most important hit, returns the croatian Pejić] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 30 July 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  42. "Pero Pejiç firmos për F.K. Kukësin" [Pero Pejić signs for F.K. Kukësi] (in Albanian). FK Kukësi. 30 July 2016. Archived from the original on 3 August 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  43. "Kukësi mposht Skënderbeun, fiton Superkupën e Shqipërisë (VIDEO)" [Kukësi defeats Skënderbeu, wins Albanian Supercup (VIDEO)] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 24 August 2016. Archived from the original on 28 August 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  44. Ergis Tafalla (8 September 2016). "Vllaznia e Kukësi mbyllet në barazim të errët, Pejiç e Shtubina nuk gjejnë golin" [Vllaznia and Kukësi ends in dark draw, Pejić and Shtubina doesn't find the goal] (in Albanian). Telesport.al. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  45. Adi Metaliu (12 September 2016). "Kukësi merr 3 pikët e para, 3-0 me Teutën" [Kukësi takes the first 3 points, 3-0 with Teuta] (in Albanian). Super Sport Albania. Archived from the original on 2 October 2016. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  46. "Pejiç lojtari i muajit: "Tani dua titullin me Kukësin"" [Pejić player of the month: "I want the title with Kukësi"] (in Albanian). Sportal.al. 13 October 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  47. Rinald Bregasi (1 October 2016). "Kukësi thyen tabunë, mposht Partizanin" [Kukësi breaks the taboo, defeats Partizani] (in Albanian). Super Sport Albania. Archived from the original on 2 October 2016. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  48. "Kukësi triumfon ndaj Skënderbeut, i vetëm në krye" [Kukësi triumphs against Skënderbeu, alone in the lead] (in Albanian). Top Channel. 18 December 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  49. Olsi Karagjozi (22 December 2016). "Kukësi shpallet kampion dimri" [Kukësi named winter champion] (in Albanian). Super Sport Albania. Archived from the original on 23 December 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  50. "Perla e Pejic, Kukësi zgjeron hendekun në krye" [Pejić's pearl, Kukësi extends the league gap] (in Albanian). Top-Channel.tv. 27 January 2017. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  51. "VIDEO / Pejiç mposht Laçin, Kukësi i përgjigjet Partizanit (VIDEO)" [VIDEO / Pejić defeats Laçi, Kukësi responds to Partizani (VIDEO)] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 29 April 2017. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  52. Rinald Bregasi (15 May 2017). "Kukësi nuk ndalet, mposht Korabin" [Kukësi doesn't stop, defeat Korabi] (in Albanian). SuperSport Albania. Retrieved 25 April 2017.
  53. "Kukësi, kampion për herë të parë në histori" [Kukësi, champion for the first time in history] (in Albanian). SuperSport Albania. 20 May 2017. Archived from the original on 23 May 2017. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  54. Luka Šarlija (29 July 2017). "PERO PEJIĆ Najbolji strijelac albanske lige potpisao za Slaven Belupo" [PERO PEJIĆ Top scorer of the Albanian league signed for Slaven Belupo] (in Croatian). Drava.info. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  55. "Slaven Koprivnica vs. Cibalia 2 – 1". Soccerway. 5 August 2017. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  56. "Slaven Koprivnica vs. Rudeš 2 – 2". Soccerway. 26 August 2017. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  57. "Croatia – P.Pejić – Profile with news, career statistics and history". Soccerway. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  58. "Football : Pero Pejić". Football Database. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
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