Local rivalry explodes as ´keeper switches sides

The decades long rivalry between two top Serbian sides skyrocketted on Monday when former Red Star Belgrade and national squad goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic joined the ranks of Partizan Belgrade.

“I have joined Partizan for professional reasons, I want to help it and I want to be a number one,” Stojkovic told reporters here after signing.

Stojkovic, 27, started his career with Red Star Belgrade, later joining Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon and British club Wigan, among others. Since 2006, he has been Serbia’s national goalkeeper.

Despite playing abroad for years, Stojkovic had been considered a Red Star die-hard, following the “Once Red Star, never Partizan” local rivalry mantra.

His switch comes after Partizan qualified for the first round of the Champions League, where they will face English side Arsenal, Portuguese Sporting Braga and Ukrainian Shakhtar Donetsk in the Group H.

Although Partizan’s supporters are divided over Stojkovic’s move, fans of Red Star reacted with fury and some even threatened the goalkeeper and his family.

Local media reported that an unknown group posted his obituary on a sports’ forum webpage, while his Red Star club jersey was taken off the wall of the team’s cafe.

“I understand the fans, but posting my obituary is too much,” said Stojkovic, although he denied reports he had asked Partizan for bodyguards.

His departure is a second blow for Red Star in the past year, as last summer they lost Brazilian international striker Kleverson Cleo to Partizan where he became their top player and a key figure in Champions League qualifiers.

Red Star, Serbia’s most prized club, have for several years been suffering financially and from a slump in form.