Miloš Degenek for the third time in Crvena zvezda

- I am here for the third time and of course I am glad. The first time I came I was young and alone, now I'm still young, but I have a wife and two children and as time goes on, we grow and progress as people, so I think that I have even more experience in football now. I followed Zvezda during the preparations in Russia, an extremely high-quality team, we are going in the right direction and something new and good is being created. Coach Barak Bahar personally called me to come and be a part of the team, and that was not rejected, of course, considering that it was still my Red Star, it was very easy to come to an agreement. We are used to playing quality and winning, but in these last three weeks, they played great football, aggressive, strong, and that's how Zvezda should look. I see myself where the head of the coaching staff puts me to play, and my job is to be healthy, to prepare as well as possible and help the younger players, and the club to achieve the best possible results. In the first two mandates, I played an important role in qualifying for the Champions League, now we have secured direct placement and that is a big thing for Serbian football. We are looking to the future, and despite the tough games ahead of us in the Champions League, I believe we can do something big. Thank you to all the stars who I love and who welcomed me, I will try to meet expectations and be even better than in the previous two terms. Also, thanks to my family and loved ones, who are also happy that I'm back in Zvezda - said the Australian national team member, who wore the number 3 jersey.

Love for the club was of course of great importance in Degenek's decision to wear the red and white jersey for the third time.

- A club like Zvezda does not refuse, of course I wanted to return. Zvezda and Maracana are part of my family, and I'm as excited as when I first came. I have a desire to prove myself and succeed with the goal of being even better than in the first two mandates. Of course, for me, love for the club is the greatest thing that exists in the football world. If I'm here, it means that the club believes in me.

Because of Zvezda, he once rejected Bahar.

- Mr. Bahar wanted me a year ago after Maccabi kicked out Zvezda. However, out of respect for the club that I love the most in the world, but also for myself, I could not go to Maccabi at that moment. Now we work together, it's up to me to train and do my best, so we'll see in which position I'll play.

Degenek wants Zvezda to spend the winter in Europe.

- For me, it would be a success if we spend the winter in Europe along with the double crown. It could be Manchester, Inter, Barcelona, it should be important for us to play our game and try to get through the group. I see that the club is building a team to fight for the first or second place in the group, it makes me happy, I saw how they played in Russia during the preparations, it's great. The Champions League is such that there are many rich clubs, but we saw Morocco in the World Cup. Everyone plays football, and I believe in Zvezda.

The Australian representative believes in himself and points out that he is even better than in the previous two terms.

- A lot is expected from everyone. Dragović is the captain, an experienced stopper, but a lot is expected from everyone who wears the Zvezda jersey, that is not in dispute. Both from me, and from someone who is 17 years old, because as soon as you are in Zvezda, it means that you have the strength and power to wear the red and white jersey. I certainly bring with me a different mentality, I am also different, I want to help young people as well, in general another World Cup that I have played means a lot to me. All those games against Argentina, Australia and Denmark, in general, I think I am a better player than in the first two terms, but time will tell. I don't know if I will play on Wednesday, I would like to, as far as I am concerned, I would play for Zvezda right now.

He is in contact with his former teammates.

- We are all in contact, I have heard from Milan and Srnić, who is still there. Everyone looks at their own path and work, I wish everyone the best. Of course, I also spoke with Erakovic, I wished him luck, it's a challenge for him, but there's no doubt that it's a good football story. The star child, after passing school and playing for the first team, and winning a lot, is now going to Russia. This is just the beginning of his career and I'm sure good footballing things await him.

He has experience from Saudi Arabia, a country where many great European footballers are going in this transfer window.

- When I went to Arabia, everyone was laughing, and now Ronaldo is there. I'm not comparing myself to him, but now the big money is out there and players want to go and secure themselves financially. For someone who is young, I would not advise him to go there, but if someone experienced asked me, I would wish him luck and see him off to the airport. As for MLS, they have a phenomenal infrastructure, few places in Europe have it at that level and the league is certainly among the top 10 in the world. The game is aggressive, direct, all attackers are good.

Degenek likes how Zvezda looks.

- Zvezda plays modern football now, high pressing, playing 1 on 1, and it's much easier that way than taking over. Everyone has their own responsibility - said the defender.

Sports director Mitar Mrkela then addressed the media.

- There is no need to introduce Miloš Degenek, who wore the red and white jersey for the third time. We are talking about a player who left a nice mark in our club, his name is associated with the biggest successes that Zvezda has achieved in the last few years. Miloš is a hard-working player, good, coach Barak Bahar wanted him, of course he also has our trust. Now he is even more experienced, he has the World Cup in his legs, and that is no small thing. In the club, we are satisfied with the team, I cannot say that the transfer period is over, it lasts until the end of August, but the team is functioning well - said Mrkela.

Miloš Degenek was born on April 28, 1994 in Knin, and after playing football in Australia, where he is a member of the national team, he joined Stuttgart for whose youth and second team he played before moving to Munich in 1860. There he took his first senior steps, and then he performed for Yokohama, Al Hilal and Columbus, with two terms at Red Star in between. He played 156 games for Red Star in all competitions and scored five goals.