Goran Pandev

Goran Pandev

Goran Pandev (; born 27 July 1983) is a Macedonian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Italian club Genoa. He is the captain of the North Macedonia national football team, and is the country’s all-time top scorer with 36 goals. Pandev began his football career with FK Belasica, before being signed by Serie A giants Internazionale in the summer of 2001. In July 2005, 50 percent of his player registration rights were transferred to Udinese in exchange for David Pizarro’s transfer to the Milanese club. In June 2006, Lazio bought the remaining 50 per cent of his registration rights from Udinese for €4 million.

About Goran Pandev in brief

Summary Goran PandevGoran Pandev (; born 27 July 1983) is a Macedonian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Italian club Genoa. He is the captain of the North Macedonia national football team, and is the country’s all-time top scorer with 36 goals. Pandev began his football career with FK Belasica, before being signed by Serie A giants Internazionale in the summer of 2001 when he was just 18 years old. After establishing himself at Lazio, Pandev moved to Inter Milan in early 2010. While playing for the Nerazzurri, he collected a host of honours including winning the 2009–10 Serie A, the 2009 Coppa Italia and the 2009-10 UEFA Champions League as part of a treble for the club. He was awarded the Medal for Service to the Country by the then-President Branko Crvenkovski in acknowledgement of his sporting achievements and his contribution to developing and popularizing sport in Macedonia as well as promoting the country abroad. He has also been involved in a legal battle with Lazio chairman Claudio Lotito, which resulted in a ruling in his favor in December 2009.

On 4 January 2010,Pandev signed a four-and-a-half year contract with Inter Milan, wearing the number 27 shirt. He made his debut as a starter in the 1–0 win against Chievo away on 6 January. His first two games resulted in him contributing to both winners — setting up Mario Balotelli and Walter Samuel to score a last minute winner against Siena. He opened his account in his third appearance for his new club, pulling a goal back for Inter in an eventual 2–2 draw at Bari. On 11 January 2009, he scored his first hat-trick in Serie A against Reggina. In July 2005, 50 percent of his player registration rights were transferred to Udinese in exchange for David Pizarro’s transfer to the Milanese club. The following season, Delio Rossi was appointed manager of Lazio andPandev began to form a deadly strike partnership with Tommaso Rocchi. In June 2006, Lazio bought the remaining 50 per cent of his registration rights from Udinese for €4 million. The deal eventually fell through after both parties failed to come to an agreement.