Kosta Nedeljkovic makes 'wasn't the best' admission after sealing Aston Villa transfer
Kosta Nedeljkovic admitted that the year 2024 'wasn't the best' as he bid farewell to Aston Villa. Defender Nedeljkovic has joined RB Leipzig on loan until the end of the season, although the Bundesliga club - who are chasing Champions League qualification - have the option to buy him outright in the summer for more than £12m.
Nedeljkovic, who only turned 19 in December, signed a five-year deal with Villa last January but he made only 10 appearances in the first half of this season - and he hasn't started in the Premier League full stop - and Unai Emery, having brought in Andres Garcia this month, was happy for the Serbian to leave.
It might've surprised some to learn that Villa had agreed to the option, which could mean that Nedeljkovic has played his last game for the club. For the player himself, he is eager to get playing regularly in the Bundesliga for the remainder of this season and hopes that 2025 will prove more fruitful than last year.
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"I'm delighted to be joining RB Leipzig," he said. "From the moment the club first reached out, I knew that I wanted to take this opportunity because as a club, they prioritise young players and give them an opportunity to develop. 2024 wasn't the best year for me, which is why I'm eager to show what I'm capable of here, earn match practice and help the club achieve their goals. I will give it my all right from my first training session!"
Marcel Schafer, board member for sport, added: "We wanted to add further reinforcements to our squad in preparation for the months to come. Kosta is the prime example of a full-back who works hard on the right wing, in addition to bringing speed, an attacking mindset and an excellent mentality to the table.
"He is strong in the tackles, good at winning possession and has an excellent understanding of the game. Kosta has a lot of potential and we will provide him with the opportunity to realise it."
