Djordje Petrovic: Bournemouth sign Chelsea goalkeeper in £25m deal

The strong interest from many clubs this summer for Petrovic comes as no surprise to football fans back home – he is living the best of his days.

Last season he helped Strasbourg finish seventh and resulted in a place in the Serbia national squad, where he has now won seven caps.

Saving a penalty in the World Cup qualifier against Albania – a match charged with tension because of politics and history – even earned him national-hero status.

The German media compared him to Manuel Neuer, one of the best goalkeepers of the century, because of their similar height, footwork and pass accuracy.

His former coaches commend Petrovic’s physical attributes, noting his strength in the air and willingness to come off his line, particularly noting his effectiveness in one-on-one situations and at stopping penalties.

Up until his move to Chelsea in 2023 from Major League Soccer side New England Revolution, he was a relatively unknown name in Serbia.

He came up through Cukaricki, a club from the capital of Belgrade, that has a notably smaller fanbase than the two Belgrade giants, Red Star and Partizan.

His move to the United States did not do much for his visibility, but he did win a place in the MLS All-Star squad – before his £12.5m switch to the Premier League made him the most expensive Serbian keeper in history.