How a teenage defender reached Premier League speed and elite club status
In short: At just 18, Kosta Nedeljković has already navigated the complex world of professional football. From the Red Star Belgrade academy to the Premier League, his rapid ascent involves high-stakes transfers, a blistering top speed, and a milestone debut that etched his name into Aston Villa history.
Born on 16 December 2005, Kosta Nedeljković has experienced a meteoric rise through the ranks of Serbian football. A product of the Red Star Belgrade youth academy, he signed his first professional contract in February 2021. His development was marked by strategic moves, including a loan to Serbian First League side Grafičar Beograd in January 2023, where he recorded a top speed of 36.4 km/h—a metric comparable to elite players like Kylian Mbappé, Achraf Hakimi, and Erling Haaland.
His talent caught the attention of the English Premier League, leading to a move to Aston Villa on 22 January 2024. While the specific transfer fee remained undisclosed, reports suggested a figure of approximately £8 million plus add-ons. This milestone occurred on 17 August 2024, when Nedeljković entered as a substitute during a 2–1 win against West Ham United, marking his Premier League debut and his status as Aston Villa's 1000th competitive appearance maker.
The young defender's journey has not been without obstacles, including a knee injury sustained during a warm weather training camp in Cyprus. Despite this, his international and club career continued to expand. He received his first senior call-up for Serbia on 30 August 2024, making his international debut against Spain on 5 September 2024. His career has since taken him across Europe through loans to RB Leipzig and eventually to the Scottish Premiership with Rangers in August 2026.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Kosta Nedeljković
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