Darko Kovačević is a Serbian former professional footballer who played as a forward. He had a successful career spanning from 1992 to 2009, playing for several prominent clubs in Europe, including Red Star Belgrade, Sheffield Wednesday, Real Sociedad, Juventus, and Olympiacos.
You can follow Darko Kovacevic’s biography, personal details, career overview, net worth, salary, stats, achievements, and more here.
Darko Kovacevic’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
| Full name | Darko Kovačević |
| Birth date | November 18, 1973 |
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) |
| Birthplace | Kovin, SR Serbia, Yugoslavia |
| Nationality | Serbian |
| Current club | Retired |
| Position | Striker |
| Club debut year | 1992 (for Proleter Zrenjanin) |
| International debut year | 1994 (for Yugoslavia) |
| Current net worth | $5 million |
Darko Kovačević was born on November 18, 1973, in Kovin, a town in the Vojvodina region of Serbia, which was then part of Yugoslavia.
He grew up in a football-loving family and started his career with his hometown club, Radnički Kovin. Kovačević has three children: Mia, Darko Jr., and Stella.
Club Career
Darko Kovačević began his professional journey with Proleter Zrenjanin in 1992, where he quickly made an impact, scoring 25 goals in 63 appearances over 2 seasons.
His talent caught the eye of Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade, and he moved there in 1994. At Red Star, Kovačević scored an impressive 37 goals in 47 matches and helped the team win a Yugoslav League title and two Yugoslav Cups.
In December 1995, Kovačević made a high-profile move to the English Premier League, joining Sheffield Wednesday for £2.5 million.
However, his time in England was brief and less successful, prompting a transfer to Real Sociedad in Spain. He had two spells with the club (1996-1999 and 2001-2007), becoming a fan favorite and one of the club’s all-time top scorers
Between his Real Sociedad stints, Kovačević played for Italian giants Juventus from 1999 to 2001, and briefly for Lazio in 2001.
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He concluded his illustrious career with Olympiacos in Greece from 2007 to 2009, winning two Greek SuperLeague titles, two Greek Cups, and a Greek Super Cup before retiring due to health concerns.
International Career
Darko Kovačević made his debut for the Yugoslav national team in 1994 and went on to earn 59 caps for his country, scoring 10 goals over a decade-long international career. His international journey spanned two national entities due to political changes.
Kovačević played 46 FIFA-recognized matches, scoring 7 goals. He represented the renamed national team in 11 FIFA matches, adding 2 more goals to his tally. He was part of the Yugoslav squad that competed in France.
Kovačević’s goal-scoring record for the national team was respectable, with 10 goals in 59 appearances. His international career peaked in the late 1990s and early 2000s, coinciding with his successful club stints at Real Sociedad and Juventus.
Darko Kovacevic’s Net Worth Details
Darko Kovacevic’s net worth is estimated to be $5 million as of 2025. His earnings came from his salary as a professional footballer, potential endorsements, and other sources.
Salary
The only specific salary information available for Darko Kovačević is from the 2006-2007 season when he played for Real Sociedad. During this period, Kovačević was reported to have earned about $2,000 per month during the 2006/07 season.
Documents from a Panamanian company reveal that Real Sociedad paid Kovačević approximately $1.4 million for that season.
Career Stats
| Club | Years | Appearances | Goals |
| Proleter Zrenjanin | 1992-1994 | 63 | 25 |
| Red Star Belgrade | 1994-1995 | 47 | 37 |
| Sheffield Wednesday | 1995-1996 | 16 | 4 |
| Real Sociedad | 1996-1999, 2001-2007 | 261 | 92 |
| Juventus | 1999-2001 | 54 | 11 |
| Lazio | 2001 | 7 | 0 |
| Olympiacos | 2007-2009 | 42 | 21 |
| Total | 1992-2009 | 444 | 168 |
Achievements
- Yugoslav League title with Red Star Belgrade
- Two Yugoslav Cups with Red Star Belgrade
- Two Greek SuperLeague titles with Olympiacos
- Two Greek Cups with Olympiacos
- One Greek Super Cup with Olympiacos
- UEFA Cup top scorer in 1998-1999 and 1999-2000 seasons
- Participated in the 1998 FIFA World Cup
- Participated in UEFA Euro 2000
FAQs
1. What clubs did Darko Kovačević play for during his career?
Darko Kovačević played for Proleter Zrenjanin, Red Star Belgrade, Sheffield Wednesday, Real Sociedad, Juventus, Lazio, and Olympiacos. He retired in 2009 after a prolific career spanning 17 years, with notable success in Spain and Greece.
2. Which national teams did Kovačević represent?
He represented Yugoslavia (51 caps, 9 goals) and Serbia and Montenegro (8 caps, 1 goal). He participated in the 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000, scoring 10 international goals in total.
3. What were Kovačević’s career highlights?
- Won the Yugoslav League and Cup with Red Star Belgrade.
- UEFA Cup top scorer in 1998–99 (8 goals) and 1999–2000 (10 goals).
- Secured two Greek Super League titles and two Greek Cups with Olympiacos.
- Scored 168 club goals in 444 appearances across top European leagues.
4. Why is Kovačević’s time at Real Sociedad significant?
He became a fan favorite at Real Sociedad for his partnership with Nihat Kahveci, scoring 92 goals in 261 La Liga appearances. His 2002–03 season was particularly outstanding, netting 20 league goals and helping the club finish second in La Liga.
5. What post-retirement roles has Kovačević held?
After retiring, he served as a sporting director for Olympiacos (2010–2013, 2024–present) and Serbia’s national team (2018–2019). He also worked in scouting and technical advisory roles.
6. How successful was Kovačević in Serie A?
During his stint with Juventus (1999–2001), he scored 11 goals in 54 Serie A matches and won the 1999 UEFA Intertoto Cup. His time in Italy also included a brief spell at Lazio.
7. What individual awards did he receive?
- UEFA Cup Top Scorer (1999, 2000).
- Super League Greece Best Foreign Player (2007–08).
8. What was Kovačević’s transfer history?
Key transfers included a €17 million move from Real Sociedad to Juventus in 1999 and a €6.6 million return to Sociedad in 2002. His total transfer fees amounted to €51.6 million.
9. Did Kovačević face any notable challenges?
In 2020, he survived a shooting incident outside his home in Athens while serving as Serbia’s sporting director. No injuries were reported, and the case gained brief media attention.
10. What is Kovačević’s legacy in Greek football?
At Olympiacos, he scored 31 goals in 61 matches, won four domestic trophies, and later became a key figure in the club’s management. His leadership as sporting director has been pivotal in maintaining the team’s competitive edge.
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