# Dušan Tadić

Dušan Tadić (Serbian Cyrillic: Душан Тадић, pronounced; born 20 November 1988) is a Serbian professional footballer who plays for Süper Lig club Fenerbahçe. He can be deployed as a forward, winger or attacking midfielder.
Tadić spent his youth at hometown club AIK Bačka Topola and Vojvodina, eventually playing in the UEFA Europa League with the latter. After two seasons with Groningen he joined Twente in 2012, where he earned a move to Southampton of the Premier League. After four years in England, he returned to the Netherlands in 2018, when he joined Ajax. With the club, he went on to win three Eredivisie and two KNVB Cup titles, the 2018–19 Eredivisie golden boot, and the 2020–21 Eredivisie Player of the Season award. Tadić left Ajax with 105 goals and 112 assists in 241 matches, joining Fenerbahçe in 2023.
Tadić earned a record 111 caps for Serbia, having made his international debut in 2008; he represented the country at the Olympics in that year, as well as at the FIFA World Cup in 2018 and 2022, and the UEFA European Championship in 2024.

## Club career
### Vojvodina

Dušan Tadić grew up honing his skills within the youth ranks of his hometown's club known as AIK Bačka Topola. Eventually he signed a professional contract with Vojvodina and played his first competitive matches in the Meridian SuperLiga at the age of 18. While playing for Vojvodina, he gained invaluable experiences playing against great top-flight teams (even against Atlético Madrid) and playing almost four full seasons without any major injuries or incidents. His potential in big European games was displayed in the 2009–10 UEFA Europa League qualifying phase when he scored a goal against Austria Wien when he was only 20 years old.

### Groningen

In 2010, Vojvodina sold Dušan Tadić to Groningen for the equivalent of €1.23 million. On 8 August 2010, Tadić made his official debut for the club in an Eredivisie match against Ajax, playing the full match and providing the assist for Tim Matavž's goal in a 2–2 home draw. On 18 December 2010, Tadić scored his first goal for Groningen, against Excelsior in a 2–2 away draw. On 30 January 2011, he scored twice and provided one assist in a 1–4 away league win over Heerenveen. Tadić finished the 2010–11 season with 7 goals, and 22 assists in 41 matches. He had the third highest number of assists in Europe for the 2010–11 season. Only Mesut Özil (26) and Lionel Messi (28) registered more assists.
He played for Groningen from 2010 to 2012, before being transferred to Twente.

### Twente

On 10 April 2012, it was announced that Tadić had signed for Twente in a €7.7 million move from Groningen. In his debut game on 12 August 2012, he scored two goals against his former club. He finished his debut season as the team's second-highest scorer with 16 goals in all competitions, two less than Nacer Chadli. In the following season, Tadić again scored 16 goals across all competitions, being the team's top scorer.

### Southampton

Tadić became the first signing under new Southampton manager Ronald Koeman on 8 July 2014, signing on a four-year deal. He joined for an undisclosed fee, thought to be £10.9 million. He made his competitive debut on 17 August in their first game of the Premier League season, playing 74 minutes of a 2–1 defeat at Liverpool before being substituted for fellow debutant Shane Long. Tadić assisted Southampton's goal through a one-two with goalscorer Nathaniel Clyne.
He scored his first Southampton goal on 23 September with a penalty against Arsenal in a 2–1 League Cup victory at Emirates Stadium. His first league goal for the club came in an 8–0 trouncing of Sunderland on 18 October, in which he assisted four others, equalling the Premier League record for the most assists in a single match.
On 13 December, Tadić had a penalty saved by Tom Heaton as Southampton went on to lose 1–0 away to Burnley. He scored in a 2–0 win over Arsenal on 1 January 2015, and ten days later scored the only goal as Southampton defeated Manchester United at Old Trafford and rose into third position at their expense. This marked Southampton's first league victory at Old Trafford since 1988.
Tadić scored twice in a 3–0 win against Norwich City on 30 August 2015 for the Saints' first league win of the season.
He scored another brace in a 4–2 win over relegated Aston Villa on 23 April 2016. In the next game, he provided three assists in a 4–2 win over Manchester City, becoming only the fourth player to achieve three or more assists in more than one Premier League game.

### Ajax

Tadić signed for Dutch club Ajax in June 2018. Ajax paid a transfer sum of €11.4 million, which could reach €13.7 million based on variables.
On 5 March 2019, Tadić’s goal, two assists and man-of-the-match performance helped knock Real Madrid out of the last 16 of the Champions League, as Ajax unexpectedly won 4–1 at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. The Spanish side had won the previous three Champions League titles and had beaten Ajax 2–1 in the first leg in Amsterdam. Tadić's performance in the game resulted in him becoming the ninth player ever to receive a 10/10 rating from the French football newspaper, L'Equipe. The signing of Tadić was seen by some pundits as the single biggest reason for Ajax’s improvement in the 2018–19 season.
On 23 April 2019, Ajax defeated Vitesse in an Eredivisie match by a score of 4–2; the four goals scored by Ajax secured their position as the first Dutch team in history to score 160 goals across all competitions in a single season. Through 51 games played at the time, Tadić had directly contributed to 53 of the club's goals in all competitions: 34 goals and 19 assists.
Tadić would eventually go on to lead Ajax to the Champions League Semi-Finals, while earning a spot on the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season. He would also be nominated for the 2019 Ballon d'Or, and at the ceremony on 2 December 2019, it was announced that he finished in 20th place.
On 2 May 2021, Ajax were crowned Eredivisie champions. Tadić had the honour of being awarded Dutch Footballer of the Year. On 3 September 2022, he played his 200th match for Ajax in a 4–0 victory over Cambuur.
On 19 February 2023, he scored his 100th goal with Ajax in a 4–0 win over Sparta Rotterdam. On 14 July 2023, Tadić's contract was terminated by mutual agreement. He left Ajax with 105 goals and 112 assists in 241 matches.

### Fenerbahçe

On 16 July 2023, Tadić signed a two-year contract with Süper Lig side Fenerbahçe. On 26 July, he made his debut in the Conference League in a 5–0 win against Zimbru at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium. On 1 August, he scored his first goal for the club in the second leg against Zimbru in a 4–0 win at the Zimbru Stadium. On 13 August, he made his Süper Lig debut in a 2–1 win against Gaziantep.

## International career
### Youth and early senior career

Tadić was a regular member of Serbia's under-19 and under-21 teams, taking part at both the 2007 UEFA European Under-19 Championship and the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. He also represented Serbia at the 2008 Summer Olympics, appearing in all three group stage matches.
On 14 December 2008, Tadić debuted for the Serbian senior squad in a 0–1 friendly loss against Poland. On 12 September 2012, he scored his first senior national team goal in his eighth appearance, a 6–1 victory against Wales in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification.

#### 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups

Tadić was one of Serbia's most influential players during the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, scoring four goals and helping them win their group. In June 2018 he was selected in the 23-man squad for the final tournament, playing all three group stage matches.
In November 2022, he served as captain of Serbia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He played in all three group stage matches, against Brazil, Cameroon, and Switzerland. He provided two assists, one in a match against Cameroon, and another one against Switzerland as Serbia finished fourth in the group.

#### 100 appearances and retirement

On 10 September 2023, Tadić played his 100th international match in a 3–1 away win against Lithuania during the Euro 2024 qualifying.
On 28 May 2024, he was named in the Serbia squad for UEFA Euro 2024. He appeared as a substitute for Aleksandar Mitrović in the team's opening match of the tournament against England, playing the last 29 minutes of the 1–0 loss. He also played in group stage matches against Slovenia and Denmark. Serbia finished fourth in the group.
On 18 July 2024, Tadić announced his retirement from international football.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of match played 16 March 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | National cup | National cup | League cup | League cup | Continental | Continental | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Vojvodina | 2006–07 | Serbian SuperLiga | 23 | 3 | 5 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 28 | 4 |
| Vojvodina | 2007–08 | Serbian SuperLiga | 28 | 7 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 0 | — | — | 32 | 7 |
| Vojvodina | 2008–09 | Serbian SuperLiga | 29 | 9 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 | — | — | 32 | 9 |
| Vojvodina | 2009–10 | Serbian SuperLiga | 27 | 10 | 5 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | 34 | 11 |
| Vojvodina | Total | Total | 107 | 29 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 126 | 31 |
| Groningen | 2010–11 | Eredivisie | 34 | 7 | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 0 | 41 | 7 |
| Groningen | 2011–12 | Eredivisie | 34 | 7 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 35 | 7 |
| Groningen | Total | Total | 68 | 14 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 76 | 14 |
| Twente | 2012–13 | Eredivisie | 33 | 12 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 13 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 51 | 16 |
| Twente | 2013–14 | Eredivisie | 33 | 16 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 34 | 16 |
| Twente | Total | Total | 66 | 28 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 85 | 32 |
| Southampton | 2014–15 | Premier League | 31 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 37 | 5 |
| Southampton | 2015–16 | Premier League | 34 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 40 | 9 |
| Southampton | 2016–17 | Premier League | 33 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — | — | 44 | 3 |
| Southampton | 2017–18 | Premier League | 36 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 41 | 7 |
| Southampton | Total | Total | 134 | 21 | 10 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 162 | 24 |
| Ajax | 2018–19 | Eredivisie | 34 | 28 | 4 | 1 | — | — | 18 | 9 | — | — | 56 | 38 |
| Ajax | 2019–20 | Eredivisie | 25 | 11 | 4 | 2 | — | — | 12 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 42 | 16 |
| Ajax | 2020–21 | Eredivisie | 34 | 14 | 5 | 3 | — | — | 12 | 5 | — | — | 51 | 22 |
| Ajax | 2021–22 | Eredivisie | 34 | 13 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 45 | 16 |
| Ajax | 2022–23 | Eredivisie | 34 | 11 | 5 | 2 | — | — | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 47 | 13 |
| Ajax | Total | Total | 161 | 77 | 21 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 56 | 19 | 3 | 0 | 241 | 105 |
| Fenerbahçe | 2023–24 | Süper Lig | 38 | 10 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 16 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 56 | 16 |
| Fenerbahçe | 2024–25 | Süper Lig | 26 | 9 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 16 | 2 | — | — | 43 | 11 |
| Fenerbahçe | Total | Total | 64 | 19 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 98 | 27 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 600 | 188 | 52 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 115 | 33 | 11 | 1 | 789 | 233 |
* ↑ Includes Serbian Cup, KNVB Cup, FA Cup, Turkish Cup
* ↑ Includes EFL Cup
* 1 2 Appearances in UEFA Cup
* 1 2 3 4 Appearances in UEFA Europa League
* 1 2 Appearances in Eredivisie European play-offs
* 1 2 Appearances in UEFA Champions League
* ↑ Ten appearances in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Europa League
* 1 2 3 Appearances in Johan Cruyff Shield
* ↑ Six appearances and two goals in UEFA Champions League, six appearances and three goals in UEFA Europa League
* ↑ Five appearances in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Europa League
* ↑ Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League
* ↑ Four appearances in UEFA Champions League, twelve appearances and two goal in UEFA Europa League

### International

Appearances and goals by national team and year :
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
| Serbia | 2008 | 1 | 0 |
| Serbia | 2009 | 0 | 0 |
| Serbia | 2010 | 1 | 0 |
| Serbia | 2011 | 0 | 0 |
| Serbia | 2012 | 9 | 1 |
| Serbia | 2013 | 10 | 4 |
| Serbia | 2014 | 8 | 1 |
| Serbia | 2015 | 6 | 0 |
| Serbia | 2016 | 7 | 5 |
| Serbia | 2017 | 7 | 1 |
| Serbia | 2018 | 12 | 2 |
| Serbia | 2019 | 6 | 2 |
| Serbia | 2020 | 6 | 0 |
| Serbia | 2021 | 9 | 2 |
| Serbia | 2022 | 12 | 2 |
| Serbia | 2023 | 10 | 2 |
| Serbia | 2024 | 7 | 1 |
| Total | Total | 111 | 23 |
    Scores and results list Serbia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Tadić goal.
List of international goals scored by Dušan Tadić :
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| 1 | 11 September 2012 | Karađorđe Stadium, Novi Sad, Serbia | 8 | Wales | 4–1 | 6–1 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 2 | 6 February 2013 | GSP Stadium, Nicosia, Cyprus | 12 | Cyprus | 1–1 | 3–1 | Friendly |
| 3 | 6 February 2013 | GSP Stadium, Nicosia, Cyprus | 12 | Cyprus | 2–1 | 3–1 | Friendly |
| 4 | 11 October 2013 | Karađorđe Stadium, Novi Sad, Serbia | 19 | Japan | 1–0 | 2–0 | Friendly |
| 5 | 15 October 2013 | Jagodina City Stadium, Jagodina, Serbia | 20 | Macedonia | 4–0 | 5–1 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 6 | 26 May 2014 | Red Bull Arena, Harrison, United States | 23 | Jamaica | 1–0 | 2–1 | Friendly |
| 7 | 25 May 2016 | Užice City Stadium, Užice, Serbia | 36 | Cyprus | 2–0 | 2–1 | Friendly |
| 8 | 31 May 2016 | Karađorđe Stadium, Novi Sad, Serbia | 37 | Israel | 3–1 | 3–1 | Friendly |
| 9 | 5 September 2016 | Rajko Mitić Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia | 39 | Republic of Ireland | 2–1 | 2–2 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 10 | 6 October 2016 | Zimbru Stadium, Chișinău, Moldova | 40 | Moldova | 3–0 | 3–0 | Friendly |
| 11 | 9 October 2016 | Rajko Mitić Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia | 41 | Austria | 3–2 | 3–2 | Friendly |
| 12 | 24 March 2017 | Boris Paichadze National Stadium, Tbilisi, Georgia | 43 | Georgia | 1–1 | 3–1 | Friendly |
| 13 | 23 March 2018 | Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, Turin, Italy | 50 | Morocco | 1–1 | 1–2 | Friendly |
| 14 | 7 September 2018 | LFF Stadium, Vilnius, Lithuania | 57 | Lithuania | 1–0 | 1–0 | 2018–19 UEFA Nations League C |
| 15 | 25 March 2019 | Estádio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal | 62 | Portugal | 1–0 | 1–1 | UEFA Euro 2020 qualification |
| 16 | 17 November 2019 | Rajko Mitić Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia | 67 | Ukraine | 1–0 | 2–2 | UEFA Euro 2020 qualification |
| 17 | 12 October 2021 | Rajko Mitić Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia | 80 | Azerbaijan | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 18 | 14 November 2021 | Estádio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal | 82 | Portugal | 1–1 | 2–1 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 19 | 18 November 2022 | Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa, Bahrain | 91 | Bahrain | 1–0 | 5–1 | Friendly |
| 20 | 18 November 2022 | Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa, Bahrain | 91 | Bahrain | 2–1 | 5–1 | Friendly |
| 21 | 24 March 2023 | Rajko Mitić Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia | 95 | Lithuania | 1–0 | 2–0 | UEFA Euro 2024 qualification |
| 22 | 17 October 2023 | Rajko Mitić Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia | 102 | Montenegro | 3–1 | 3–1 | UEFA Euro 2024 qualification |
| 23 | 8 June 2024 | Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden | 108 | Sweden | 3–0 | 3–0 | Friendly |

## Honours

Ajax
* Eredivisie: 2018–19, 2020–21, 2021–22
* KNVB Cup: 2018–19, 2020–21
* Johan Cruyff Shield: 2019
Individual
* Serbian SuperLiga Team of the Season: 2009–10
* Groningen C1000 Player of the Year: 2010–11
* Eredivisie Team of the Year: 2013–14, 2018–19, 2020–21, 2022–23
* Eredivisie top scorer: 2018–19 (shared with Luuk de Jong)
* Serbian Footballer of the Year: 2016, 2019, 2021
* UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2018–19
* UEFA Champions League top assist provider: 2018–19
* UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season: 2020–21
* Eredivisie Player of the Season: 2020–21
* Eredivisie Player of the Month: March 2019
* Ajax Player of the Year (Rinus Michels Award): 2020–21
* Dutch Footballer of the Year: 2020–21