Illustrator Gabriel Foligno Publication NurPhoto
Lazar Samardžić: Udinese's Next Top Prospect
Club: Udinese Nationality: Serbia Position(s): CM, AM, SS Preferred Foot: Left Height: 6’0”/184cm Age: 21 Strengths: shot volume, vision, distance shooting, passing range, creativity Areas for Development: defensive activity, defensive…
Club: UdineseNationality: SerbiaPosition(s): CM, AM, SSPreferred Foot: LeftHeight: 6’0”/184cmAge: 21Strengths: shot volume, vision, distance shooting, passing range, creativityAreas for Development: defensive activity, defensive awareness
After a season that would see them reach the Champions League Final, finish third under Simone Inzaghi, and win a second-straight Coppa Italia title, Inter Milan have reinforced their squad in the summer transfer window, replacing Romelu Lukaku with Marcus Thuram, Marcelo Brozović with Davide Frattesi, and André Onana with Yann Sommer. Other players like Yann Aurel Bisseck, Juan Cuadrado, Alexis Sánchez and Benjamin Pavard have arrived, but despite a lengthy transfer saga, one player whose Inter move failed to materialize was Lazar Samardžić, with the Nerazzurri turning to Ajax veteran Donny van de Beek on a free transfer.
Born in Berlin, Samardžić emerged as a highly rated talent at the youth level for Germany and Hertha Berlin, departing Hertha after 11 years and joining RB Leipzig, where he would last just one season. Desperate for playing time after making just nine appearances in 2020/21, Samardžić left Germany for the first time in his life and joined Udinese at the age of 19, making 22 appearances as the Zebrette finished 12th.
Credits
Words
Ben Mattinson