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Official! Austria announce Dragovic transfer

Aleksandar Dragovic is back at Wiener Austria.

(Bild: FK Austria Wien)

What the "Krone" already announced on Friday is now official: Vienna Austria announce the return of Aleksandar Dragovic. "I've been at Austria since I was six years old and have played in all the youth teams. It was always my childhood dream to be able to play for Austria at the Horr Stadium back then," said Dragovic.

The 33-year-old was most recently without a club after his contract with Red Star Belgrade expired. The 100-time team player played a total of 67 Bundesliga games for the Violets from 2008 to 2010 and also comes from the club's own youth ranks. The medical check was successfully completed on Monday. Dragovic has now been officially unveiled. According to the "Krone", Dragovic will receive a three-year contract until 2027. 

The central defender will remain with the club beyond that, according to the press release. However, no details were given.

"I am a true Austrian"
"I've been at Austria since I was six years old and have played in all the youth teams. It was always my childhood dream to be able to play for Austria at the Horr Stadium back then. I had many wonderful moments here as a professional. I'm a true Austrian, Vienna is the most beautiful city for me - that's why it was always my goal to hang up my soccer boots here one day, but I don't want to think that far ahead yet, now I want to help Austria," says Dragovic about his move. "I try to be a role model every day - at home for my son and now also here at the club for our young players. I know how tough the soccer business is - I want to lead the way and show them how to deal with difficult situations."

Aleksandar Dragovic

(Bild: FK Austria Wien)

Sporting Director Manuel Ortlechner: "Aleks Dragović is a child of Austria and a figurehead of our academy to this day. As an Austrian, he has made the leap into the big soccer world and can set an example to all young players of what it means to be a full professional. 'Drago' is a 100-time Austrian team player - we don't need to talk about his quality. We're delighted that we've managed to bring him back home and keep him at the club beyond his career as an active footballer."

Only Alaba has more championship titles abroad
Dragovic left Austria at the beginning of 2011 and has won nine championships abroad. David Alaba is the only Austrian to have achieved this more often. Dragovic played his last international match to date in March 2022 under Franco Foda against Scotland. Under ÖFB team boss Ralf Rangnick, the defender was no longer given a chance and openly criticized this. However, he was honored for his 100 caps before the test match against Serbia at the beginning of June.

Should stabilize the defence
After three double wins in three years, Dragovic let his contract with Red Star Belgrade expire at the end of the season and has since sought a return to Vienna. At Austria, Dragovic is expected to stabilize the defence, which has not always been stable recently, and lead the way as a leader. In last week's 2-1 defeat in the first leg of the second round of Conference League qualifying, the Viennese conceded both goals. The second leg is scheduled for Wednesday (20:30), but Dragovic is not yet eligible to play in this game. Austria start the Bundesliga season on Sunday (17:00) with an away game at Blau-Weiß Linz.

Dragovic made his professional debut for Austria under Karl Daxbacher in 2008 at the age of 17. In 2011, he went abroad to FC Basel, before moving on to Dynamo Kiev, Bayer Leverkusen, Leicester City and most recently Red Star.