How a Serbian goalkeeper rewrote the record books in Major League Soccer
In short: In just a few seasons, Đorđe Petrović transitioned from the Serbian SuperLiga to the Premier League. His rise was marked by unprecedented statistical dominance and a knack for stopping penalties, establishing him as one of the most impactful shot-stoppers to ever enter the American league.
After developing in the FK Čukarički academy and gaining experience on loan at FK IMలకు, Petrović moved to the New England Revolution on 6 April 2022. His arrival in MLS was nothing short of historic. By 29 April 2023, he became the fastest player in the league's history to stop five penalties. His impact was visible in the advanced metrics: Opta Sports data revealed he significantly exceeded his expected goals on target (xGOT) by 16.2, a figure far higher than any other goalkeeper in that period, where others peaked at roughly 5.5.
His 2022 season was a whirlwind of individual accolades, earning him nominations for both MLS Newcomer of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year. His ability to prevent scoring was particularly evident in August 2022, when he maintained four clean sheets over 371 minutes of play. This period of dominance caught the eyes of global scouts, with reports from The Athletic suggesting interest from Manchester United while he was still playing in the United States.
Following a period where the Revolution rejected substantial bids from clubs like Nottingham Forest and FC Nantes, Petrović joined Chelsea in August 2023 on a seven-year deal. After a stint with Strasbourg, where he was named Player of the Season following a 7th-place finish in Ligue 1, he moved to Bournemouth in July 2025. Beyond the club level, he has become a fixture for the Serbian national team, debuting in early 2021 and representing his country at UEFA Euro 2024.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Đorđe Petrović (footballer)
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