Niša Saveljić

Niša Saveljić
Born	(1970-03-27) March 27, 1970 Titograd, SFR Yugoslavia
Occupation	Professional footballer (retired)
Years active	1988–2006
Known for	Defender for FR Yugoslavia national team; clubs including Partizan and Bordeaux

Niša Saveljić (; born 27 March 1970) is a retired Montenegrin professional footballer who played primarily as a defender.

On the international stage, Saveljić was part of the FR Yugoslavia squad during the 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000 tournaments.

Club career

Originating from Titograd, Saveljić began his professional journey with Budućnost in the 1988–89 season. After spending five seasons there, he transferred to Hajduk Kula in 1993. His steady performances paved the way for a move to Partizan in the winter transfer window of 1995. While at Partizan, he contributed to back-to-back league championships in the 1996 and 1997 seasons.

In 1997, Saveljić joined French side Bordeaux, where he achieved a league title in his second year (1998–99). He remained with Bordeaux for two additional seasons, including a loan spell back at Partizan in early 2001, during which he helped secure the 2000–01 FR Yugoslavia Cup. Following this period, he returned to France and featured for several clubs: Sochaux, Bastia, Guingamp, and Istres over a span of four years.

Saveljić re-signed with Partizan on a two-year deal in July 2005. However, in May 2006, he faced suspension after an altercation with teammate Danko Lazović. The player and club parted ways by mutual agreement in August 2006.

International career

Saveljić earned his first cap for FR Yugoslavia on 31 January 1995 during a 3–1 victory over Hong Kong. Over his international tenure, he accumulated 32 appearances and netted one goal, representing his nation at both the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Euro 2000 competitions.

Post-playing career

In August 2017, Saveljić was named Chief Executive Officer of Girondins de Bordeaux USA, an initiative formed through collaboration between Bordeaux and Olney Girls 99 based in Washington, D.C.

Personal life

On 15 January 2003, Saveljić obtained French citizenship through naturalization. He is the father of water polo athlete Nicolas Saveljić, elder sibling of the late Nebojša Saveljić from Monteniggers, and cousin to Montenegrin international footballer Esteban Saveljich.

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National Cup		League Cup		Continental		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Budućnost Podgorica	1988–89	Yugoslav First League	4	0			—		—		4	0
	1989–90	Yugoslav First League	11	1			—		—		11	1
	1990–91	Yugoslav First League	31	3			—		—		31	3
	1991–92	Yugoslav First League	27	1			—		—		27	1
	1992–93	First League of FR Yugoslavia	25	3			—		—		25	3
	Total		98	8			—		—		98	8
Hajduk Kula	1993–94	First League of FR Yugoslavia	30	1			—		—		30	1
	1994–95	First League of FR Yugoslavia	16	2			—		—		16	2
	Total		46	3			—		—		46	3
Partizan	1994–95	First League of FR Yugoslavia	15	3	0	0	—		—		15	3
	1995–96	First League of FR Yugoslavia	24	1	8	3	—		—		32	4
	1996–97	First League of FR Yugoslavia	27	7	0	0	—		4	1	31	8
	Total		66	11	8	3	—		4	1	78	15
Bordeaux	1997–98	French Division 1	24	1	2	0	3	0	2	0	31	1
	1998–99	French Division 1	25	0	1	0	0	0	8	0	34	0	-	1999-2000	French Division 1	21	2	5	0	1	0	8	0	35	2
	2000-01	French Division 1	1	0	1	0	1	0	2	0	5	0
	2000-01 FK Partizan season	First League of FR Yugoslavia	13	1	3	0 16 </wikitable> International National team appearances and goals by year National team Year Appearances Goals FR Yugoslavia 1995 5 1 1996 5 0 1997 5 0 1998 7 0 1999 3 0 2000 7 0 Overall 32 1 Club Partizan First League of FR Yugoslavia titles: 1995–96, 1996–97 FR Yugoslavia Cup champion: 2000–01 Bordeaux French Division 1 champion: 1998–99 Coupe de la Ligue finalist: Runner-up in 1997–98 Trophée des Champions finalist: Runner-up in 1999 Sochaux Coupe de la Ligue finalist: Runner-up in 2002–03 International Yugoslavia UEFA European Under-21 Championship finalist: Runner-up in 1990 External links