The surprising signing of Pedja Mijatovic by Levante UD

Last update 15 December, 2022 por Alberto Llopis

The arrival of Pedja Mijatovic al Levante OUT en el verano de 2002 surprised everyone, especially if we take into account that the granota team was active in, by then, in Second Division.

Sin embargo, Levante's history is full of shocking and unexpected signings. Faas Wilkes, Dutch genius who came to the club in the 50, Carlos Caszely, star of the Chilean team in the 70 o Johan Cruyff are some examples.

Pedja Mijatovic I already counted, de alguna forma, with the sympathy of the Levantine parish. His transfer from Valencia to Real Madrid caused the Mestalla fans to brand him a traitor to the point of not wanting to see him even in paint.

The Montenegrin star lived his best years with the Valencia shirt. Los 68 goals in three seasons at Mestalla attest to this. Sin embargo, when Real Madrid knocked on his door, He had no doubts about taking the leap that allowed him to add titles to his record, something that he could not achieve in his time as a Valencianist. A league, a Spanish Super Cup, an Intercontinental Cup and, above all, the seventh European Cup that the Madrid team beat Juventus in 1998 with a bit from Mijatovic himself.

That European Cup was tremendously longed for by all Real Madrid fans and, although the performance of the Balkan attacker at the Bernabéu was far from his time at Valencia, Pedja Mijatovic he inscribed his name in gold letters in the history of Real Madrid thanks to that goal.

The signing of Pedja Mijatovic by Levante UD

Años después, Pedro Villarroel was determined to make a leap in quality in the Levante squad. Amato, Congo y Mijatovic they arrived at the club (the latter after a fateful stint at Fiorentina) y, at last, the fans could dream of him promotion to First Division. just a year before, the club had been saved from relegation to Second Division B in the offices.

The debut of '8’ granota was most hopeful. Levante achieved a victory against Real Zaragoza, el cocky of the category, with a great performance from his new star. And if that was not enough, on the second and third day, Mijatovic scored two goals. El primero, penalty against Almería. El segundo, after a great personal move in the home win against Éibar (3-1), making it clear that he still had magic and quality left in his boots.

Sin embargo, Pedja's performance and weight in the team decreased as the days went by. Levante was left at the gates of promotion after finishing in fourth position (only the first three ascended). Al finalizar la temporada, the striker announced his retirement as a professional footballer with a baggage of 21 parties and 3 granota goals with the shirt.