A former Manchester United wonderkid who the club touted as Ryan Giggs’ long-term replacement has retired at the age of 37 in Greece.
The winger, whose career highlights include winning the Kazakhstan Premier League, replaced Cristiano Ronaldo on his debut in 2009 against Tottenham after signing for £7million.
He never quite kicked on in a fiercely competitive squad under Sir Alex Ferguson, only amassing five appearances for the Red Devils.
His career took him from his homeland of Serbia to the Premier League, Germany, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, and finally Lamia of Greece.
Zoran Tosic played his last game in May and recently decided to call time on his 20-year-long career.
Former Man United star Zoran Tosic has retired at 37 after a long, trophy-laden career
He came on for his debut for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009 after joining for £7million
The club website tipped him as a possible successor to Ryan Giggs but he played five games
‘Unfortunately, everything good comes to an end,’ he said.
‘I was hoping this moment would never come, but now I’m sure it’s time for me to end my football playing career.
‘As a child I dreamt of playing for Partizan, Serbia and Manchester United, and I was lucky enough to make my dreams come true at 21.
‘Many trophies, wins, ups and downs but the love was always there. Thanks to my family who made this trip possible.
‘Thank you to the coaches, my team-mates, and everyone who has been with me for the whole 20 years. I am especially proud of ten years of playing for my country Serbia.
‘Lastly, a big thank you to the fans of the clubs where I performed, I always felt genuine support.
‘Football still remains my greatest love and passion. See you in some other role.’
In 2009, Manchester United’s website wrote that ‘it could be Tosic who is charged with filling the Welshman’s boots when Giggs eventually retires,’ but he never met those hopes – Giggs outlasted him by four seasons at Old Trafford.
A varied career saw Tosic win 13 trophies with stints in Serbia, Russia, and Kazakhstan
Tosic had attracted scouts while playing for Partizan Belgrade and already knew Nemanja Vidic from the Serbian national team. Eventually United signed him for £7m.
He came on for Ronaldo in the 2009 FA Cup fourth round against Tottenham and potentially saw himself as a potential successor to the Portuguese star’s mantle.
‘My first six months at the club were for me to prepare, to get stronger. And in the next six months it’s important to try and break into the team and prove that I’m a United player,’ he said.
‘To be honest, I think that probably Cristiano was the best player in the team and so someone will come in to take his place.’
Whether he was referring to himself there or soembody else is unclear.
After making three appearances in 2008-09 and two outings in 2009-10, he was shipped out to Koln in the Bundesliga.
His career was successful in terms of trophies – Tosic lifted no fewer than 13 team gongs.
He was named in the Russian Premier League’s top 33 players for three seasons on the spin
They included leagues and cups in Serbia, Russia, and Kazakhstan.
He was also honoured in the ‘top 33 players of the Russian Premier League’ for three years on the bounce – an achievement that eluded Giggs and, seemingly, will do the same to Ronaldo.
