Western Sydney Wanderers star Nicolas Milanović has joined the esteemed list of Croats to receive Australian football’s highest individual honour.
The Scotland-bound midfielder/attacker claimed the Johnny Warren Medal, as the A-League Men’s player of the season, ahead of a star-studded field.
“Winning this medal, especially for Western Sydney, is indescribable.” Milanović said.
He is the first Croatian player to win it in the A-League era, and underscores the new generation of Croatian talent coming through the Australian system.
Sydney FC striker Adrian Segečić (13 goals) was the first Croat to claim the Golden Boot award in the A-League era, alongside Adelaide United’s Archie Goodwin. Milanović and Western United’s Noah Botić finished just behind (12 goals).
Milanović, who is currently in Abu Dhabi after his first Socceroos callup, claimed 28 points, to win the medal, ahead of Western United’s Angus Thurgate and Auckland’s Hiroki Sakai.
The Wanderers recently confirmed that Milanović was sold to Aberdeen for a club record transfer fee.
Milanović, the Sydney United youth product who featured for St Albans Dinamo before making his A-League debut with Western United, netted 12 goals and six assists from 25 games last season.
He was thrilled to be joining the long list of Australians recently moving to Scotland.
“The (Wanderers have) changed my life,” Milanović said.
“I’m really excited to join Aberdeen. It’s a club with a great history and a passionate fanbase and I’m eager to experience all that Scottish football has to offer.
“I’m eager to test myself in a new environment and contribute to the team’s desire to deliver to success.”
Milanović will hope to make his Socceroos debut in the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia.