Goran Pandev born 27 July 1983 in Strumica, Socialist Republic of Macedonia, Yugoslavia, is a Macedonian footballer who plays as a forward for Italian Serie A club Internazionale. He is also considered a key player for the Macedonian national team.
Club career
Early career
Pandev began his football career with FK Belasica, the club with which he progressed through the youth academy. He only spent one season in the local Prva Liga though, before being signed by major Italian Serie A club Inter in the summer of 2001 when he was just 18 years old.
Inter loaned Pandev to Spezia, where he was a regular in Serie C1. The following year, he was again sent on loan, this time to newly promoted Ancona. Despite the Dorici having a nightmare of a season, the worst of any club in Serie A history.
Lazio
In January 2004, Serbian star Dejan Stanković was signed by Inter from Lazio and Pandev was sent to the capital in exchange on a co-ownership deal, which Pandev was remained at Ancona until end of 2003-04 seasaon. Pandev impressed in his first year at Lazio, as he made 29 appearances, scoring 3 goals including a memorable effort away to Juventus where he beat Fabio Cannavaro, Lilian Thuram and Gianluca Zambrotta, before beating Gianluigi Buffon with an angled shot. In July 2005 another half of registration rights was transferred from Internazionale to Udinese for David Pizarro's transfer.
The following season, Delio Rossi was appointed manager of Lazio, and Pandev began to form a deadly strike partnership with Tommaso Rocchi. Lazio opted to purchase Pandev's full contract in the summer of 2006, bidding around 4 million euro for Udinese's share in the contract, which they had bought from Inter.
On the 11 January 2009 he scored his first hat-trick in Serie A against Reggina.
On 24 March 2009, Pandev was awarded the Medal for Service to the Country by the then-President Branko Crvenkovski in acknowledgement of his sporting achievements and his contribution to developing and popularizing sport in Macedonia as well as promoting the country abroad.
Contract dispute with Lazio
In the summer of 2009, a dispute between Pandev and Lazio president Claudio Lotito erupted, resulting in a legal battle between Pandev and his club. The ruling was announced on December 23, 2009.
The dispute started with Pandev indicating his desire to leave Lazio during the summer of 2009. Club president Lotito, apparently unhappy with Pandev's decision, froze him out of the squad. As a result, Pandev spent the remaining four months training on his own, without making a single appearance for his club. During this period, various clubs had indicated their interest in buying Pandev, most notably Zenit St. Petersburg, who made an offer of 13 million euros for the player. Lazio president Lotito rejected the offer, demanding 15 million euros instead. The deal eventually fell through after both parties failed to come to an agreement on price.
On 26 September, Pandev officially filed for a termination of his contract with Lazio, having been frozen out of the squad and labelled a 'rebel' by the club. Pandev argued that by freezing him out of the squad, Lazio had violated the terms of their contract with him. On 23 December 2009, Lega Calcio ruled in Pandev's favor, ordering Lazio to release Pandev from his contract and pay him 170,000 euros for emotional distress. Lotito indicated his desire to appeal the decision.
Internazionale
On 4 January, 2010, Pandev signed a 4½-year contract with Internazionale,wearing the number 27 shirt. He made his Internazionale debut as a starter in the 1–0 away win against Chievo on January 6. His first two games for the Nerazzurri resulted in him getting a hand in both winners — setting up Mario Balotelli against Chievo, and setting up Walter Samuel to score a last minute winner against Siena. His first goal for Inter arrived against Bari, pulling a goal back for Internazionale after falling behind by two goals. Three minutes later, he earned a penalty that levelled the score. In the 2–0 victory over local rivals A.C. Milan, he assisted Diego Milito with an overhead cross, and scored a curling freekick to complete the win.On 22 May 2010 F.C. Internazionale Milano won the UEFA Champions League final against F.C. Bayern Munich, with Pandev becoming the third Macedonian football player in history ever winning this championship.
On 16th December 2010 FC Internazionale Milano had reached the final of FIFA Club World Cup. Goran Pandev scored his first goal in FIFA Club World Cup, and his first goal in a major final. He is the first ever Macedonian to score and win the FIFA Club World Cup Championship.
International career
Pandev, so far, has won 57 caps for his country and scored 23 goals. With his 2 goals against Spain, he has become Macedonia's all-time leading scorer, surpassing Ǵorǵi Hristov.
Personal information
Full name: Goran Pandev
Date of birth: 27 July 1983 (1983-07-27)
Place of birth: Strumica, SFR Yugoslavia
Height: 1.84 m (6 ft 1⁄2 in)
Playing position: Forward
Club information
Current club: Internazionale
Number: 27
Senior career*
2000–2001 Belasica 18 (6)
2001–2004 Internazionale 0 (0)
2002–2003 → Spezia (loan) 22 (4)
2003–2004 → Ancona (loan) 20 (1)
2004–2010 Lazio 159 (48)
2010– Internazionale 40 (5)
National team‡
2001– Macedonia 57 (23)
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