Transfer of Marko Arnautovic to Red Star Belgrade Confirmed

Marko Arnautovic had been without a club since the end of his contract with Inter Milan, and a move to Rapid failed. Zvezdan Terzic, General Director of Red Star, confirmed to the Serbian agency Tanjug an agreement on a two-year contract. Arnautovic is set to debut on July 29 in the second leg of the Champions League qualification against Lincoln Red Imps.

Marko Arnautovic receives 2.5 million euros net annual salary at Red Star Belgrade

"We have been in contact for a long time, working on this transfer under the strictest secrecy and waiting for everything to fit together," explained Terzic. According to consistent media reports, the ÖFB striker receives 2.5 million euros net annually - making him the most expensive player in Red Star's club history. "He is a player for whom people come to the stadium," said Terzic about the 125-time national player (41 goals). "I am firmly convinced that all our players will be 30 percent better with Marko than before." Red Star has recently been Serbian champion eight times in a row and wants to qualify for the Champions League again this year. The qualification starts on Tuesday (6:00 PM) in Gibraltar.

Red Star job for Marko Arnautovic after career end?

After his contract with Inter Milan expired, Arnautovic recently kept fit on vacation with a private trainer. "He will be ready to play at a high level at the World Cup next year in America," said Terzic. "Marko pays great attention to his body and health and assumes he can play at a high level for several more years." According to the club chief, it was also agreed as part of the deal that Arnautovic would work at Red Star after the end of his active career. Arnautovic was born in Vienna to an Austrian mother and a Serbian father and has previously made no secret of his sympathy for Red Star. The 36-year-old was also a topic at SK Rapid for weeks. The Hütteldorfers reportedly offered him a two-year contract with an annual salary of three million euros gross plus bonuses, but according to their own statements, they stopped their pursuit ten days ago.

(APA/Red)

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