Derby County once had PAOK striker Aleksandar Prijovic on their books.
Former Derby County forward Aleksandar Prijovic has netted four goals in his last four games for PAOK Thessaloniki as he seeks to become a Greek Super League champion for the first time.
The 27-year-old came through the youth ranks at St Gallen before moving on to Championship outfit Derby via a short spell in Italy with financially troubled side Parma.
He arrived at Derby as a relative unknown, a gamble in the much forgettable Paul Jewell era as the Rams suffered a humiliating campaign in the Premier League – recording just 11 points.
Prijovic was only 17 at the time, and he appeared for the Derby youth teams before being sent out on loan at the likes of Yeovil Town and Northampton Town.
Then manager Nigel Clough evidently didn’t feel he was ready for a regular place at Pride Park and was happy to move him out altogether as Prijovic ended up joining Swiss side Sion on a three-year deal.
Fast forward ten years and now a seven-capped Serbia international, Prijovic has gone on to win trophies in Switzerland, Poland with Legia Warsaw and a Greek Cup triumph with PAOK.
But he could be on the verge of his greatest success yet, what with PAOK currently topping the Greek Super League and looking to win their first championship since 1985.
Prijovic has netted 17 goals in 27 games in all competitions this season, ranking among the very best in Greece while his record in the Europa League isn’t too shabby either.
Not many Derby players have left the East Midlands club to go on and perform better elsewhere, but Prijovic is without doubt an exception and in such form his value in today’s market could be pushing £10 million.
Olympiakos, Panathinaikos and AEK Athens are generally regarded as the big three in Greece, but this season we could see a new winner and most Derby fans should be happy to see Prijovic earn his success.
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