Two-time Johnny Warren Medallist and three-time Isuzu UTE A-League Champion Miloš Ninković is set to call time on his professional career at the end of the 2023-24 season.
The Western Sydney Wanderers midfielder, who won seven trophies with the Wanderers’ crosstown rivals Sydney FC in a decorated seven-season stint, has spent the past two Isuzu UTE A-League seasons in red & black – and confirmed on Monday night that the current campaign will be his last as a professional footballer.
Ninković arrived at Sydney FC in 2015 and will call time on his career as one of the best players in Isuzu UTE A-League history, having contributed to three Championships, three Premierships and one Australia Cup triumph at the Sky Blues, winning two Johnny Warren Medals as the league’s best player (2016-17, co-winner 2020-21) and one Joe Marston Medal as best afield in the 2018-19 Grand Final.
The 39-year-old could add to his trophy collection in his final season, with the Wanderers currently sat in fourth place on the Isuzu UTE A-League table.
Upon the confirmation of his planned retirement, Ninković revealed the reasoning behind his decision to call time on his career in an emotional address.
“I have been thinking over the last few months and I have made the decision that I will retire after this season. This season will be my last in the A-Leagues,” Ninkovic said.
“I started when I was six years old, I signed my first professional contract when I was 16 and this year I’m going to be 40. That’s 24 years of professional football. I really enjoyed every moment and I know when that last training session and game comes, that I’m going to be struggling emotionally.
“I love football and I know when I retire I will still be on the pitch. We will see what role it will be, but I want to stay and I’m happiest when I’m on the field.
“I think the most important moment of my career was when I came to the Wanderers. That was the first time where I wanted to stay here with my family but we had nowhere to go. We didn’t know what to do and we were in that difficult position.
“I want to thank the club – chairman Mr Lederer, head coach Marko Rudan and Eddy Bosnar, as they gave me a chance. I will never forget this.
“I want to thank all my teammates and coaches. I want to thank the players I’ve played against as I’ve always tried to be better than them and they have pushed me to work hard to achieve what I have in my career.
“Especially, I want to thank my family and my wife, it has not been easy. My wife has understood everything and is one of the biggest reasons why I’m still playing.
“Finally, a thank you to the members and fans. I know everything looked strange when I came here, but thank you. It has been amazing.”
The Wanderers will celebrate Ninković’s career in the final round of the regular season against Melbourne City.
Western Sydney head coach Marko Rudan hailed Ninković as a legend of Australian football.
“Milos has become synonymous with Australian football and will leave the professional game at the end of this season as a legend,” said Rudan.
“Milos has irreplaceable qualities and the entire club and community looks forward to celebrating his career against Melbourne City.”
Prior to arriving in Australia in 2015, Ninkovic enjoyed a career spanning France, Ukraine and Serbia, playing for the likes of Dynamo Kyiv, Red Star Belgrade and Evian.
Ninković won the Ukrainian Premier League twice, Ukranian Cup three times, Ukrainian Super Cup four times and the Serbian SuperLiga title once before arriving at Sydney FC.
The 2023-24 Isuzu UTE A-League season is his ninth in Australia; he’s played 207 games in the league since 2015 – 181 times for the Sky Blues and 26 for the Wanderers.
