Canberra star earns European transfer after career-best season: ‘I’m very excited’

A-Leagues sensation Vesna Milivojevic has departed Canberra United to join Swedish side IFK Norrkoping.

Milivojevic has signed a one-year deal with Norrkoping following her career-best season in the Liberty A-League.

The 22-year-old Serbia international scored 10 goals including the winner against Brisbane Roar last week, surpassing the eight she netted in 2022-23. She also supplied three assists for Canberra in 22 games.

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“We thank Vesna for her time with Canberra United where she became a firm favourite with our loyal supporters and made a telling difference during many fixtures for the club,” Canberra CEO Samantha Farrow said. 

“The opportunity to move abroad and play in a top European league was something that Vesna was keen to explore, and this is a tremendous opportunity for her in her career.”

Milivojevic joined Canberra at the start of 2022-23 and she scored 18 goals in 40 matches for the capital club, having had her first taste of A-Leagues football with Western Sydney Wanderers in 2019-20.

The move to Norrkoping in Sweden’s Damallsvenskan marks a return to Europe for Milivojevic, who previously played for Spartak Subotica (in 2020 and 2021-22) and Germany’s Borussia Bocholt (2021).

“I am very excited about this opportunity to play for IFK Norrkoping. I am looking forward to playing in Europe again, this time in Sweden,” she said via the club’s website.

“I am looking forward to meeting my new teammates and the management staff. I hope to develop my game to the next level with the help of the leaders.

“My goals are to contribute to the team in every way and win games by working hard and assisting and scoring goals. I would like to thank IFK for this trust.”

Norrkoping Tor-Arne Fredheim added: “Vesna has a very strong season behind her and she has also started the last matches in the Serbian national team.

“She is capable of playing and a little different from what we currently have in the squad and can also take the step down to midfield. She is a scoring player who scored 10 goals for Canberra this season. Goals and assists, we hope she will contribute in IFK.

“Now she comes from a season in Australia and games with the national team, therefore she will need a week off before joining.”