Hertha Berlin gave Vojvodina a record 3 million euros in early 2008 to acquire Gojko Kacar. The Serbian defensive midfielder has already played a big role in bringing the German Bundesliga club to the UEFA Europa League. Now Kacar is setting his sights on helping Serbia achieve great things as well.
Novi Sad Beginnings
Kacar was born on January 26, 1987 in Novi Sad, Serbia. He joined the youth system of local club FK Vojvodina Novi Sad and joined the professional side in 2002. He played with the Serbian top flight club until January 2008, scoring 15 goals in 78 games.
Vojvodina Record Transfer Fee
In January 2008, Hertha Berlin went after the young midfielder and gave Vojvodina 3 million euros for Kacar, which was the highest transfer fee the club has ever received for a player. Kacar played 17 matches the rest of the 2007-08 season for Berlin, scoring one goal and assisting on two more.
Kacar really shined in the 2008-09 season in the German capital. Besides helping Hertha have one of the most solid defenses in the Bundesliga, Kacar also tallied six goals in 25 appearances in helping Berlin reach the UEFA Europa League for the 2009-10 season.
Senior National Team Debut
Kacar made his debut with the Serbian senior national team on November 24, 2007 in the Euro2008 qualifier against Kazakhstan. He has since collected nine caps, including 2010 World Cup qualifiers against Austria and the Faroe Islands.
U21 European Championship In 2007 And 2009
In 2007, Kacar was selected to play for Serbia at the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in the Netherlands. He played one game, losing against England 2-0.
Kacar scored six goals in the qualifying campaign for the 2009 UEFA U21 Euros, including five goals in an 8-0 thrashing of Hungary on September 7, 2008. And he is expected to be one of the leading stars at the U21 Euros in Sweden.
2008 Olympics With Serbia
Kacar also appeared in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing with Serbia, playing in the game against Australia on August 7, 2008.
The midfielder’s uncle also performed at the Olympics. His uncle Slobodan Kacar collected gold in boxing at the Moscow Games and Tadija Kacar grabbed boxing silver at the Montreal Olympics.
Kacar's Contract and Transfer Rumors
The left-footed Kacar has a contract with Hertha Berlin until June 30, 2012. His market value is estimated at about 7 million euros though it has been rumored that clubs will have to pay 12 million euros to get him away from Hertha.
Kacar has already been linked with interest from German Bundesliga clubs Hamburg and Schalke.
