Goran Pandev

Goran Pandev (, ) (born July 27, 1983 in Strumica, Republic of Macedonia), is a Macedonians (ethnic group) soccer striker who plays for Italy Serie A club, S.S. Lazio. Goran Pandev is also considered as a star key-player of the Republic of Macedonia national football team and one of the more celebrated in Goran Pandev homeland.

Career

Pandev began Goran Pandev football career with FK Belasica, the club with which Goran Pandev progressed through the youth academy. Goran Pandev only spent one season in the local Makedonska Prva Liga
though, before being signed by major Italy Serie A club F.C. Internazionale Milano in the summer of 2001 when Goran Pandev was just 18 years old.
The following year, Goran Pandev was again sent on loan, this time to newly promoted A.C. Ancona. Despite the Dorici having a nightmare of a season, the worst of any club in Serie A history, Pandev made twenty appearances and scored one goal, gaining valuable experience.

In 2004, Serbian star Dejan Stanković was signed by Inter from S.S. Lazio and Pandev was sent to the capital in exchange on a co-ownership deal.
Pandev impressed in Goran Pandev first year at Lazio, as Goran Pandev made 29 appearances, scoring 3 goals including a memorable effort away to Juventus F.C. where Goran Pandev beat Fabio Cannavaro, Lilian Thuram and Gianluca Zambrotta, before beating Gianluigi Buffon with an angled shot.

The following season, Delio Rossi was appointed manager of Lazio, and Pandev began to form a deadly strike partnership with Tommaso Rocchi. Lazio opted to purchase Pandev's full contract in the summer of 2006, bidding around 4 million euro for Udinese Calcio's share in the contract, which they had bought from Inter.

In Serie A 2007-08, Pandev began to attract attention from some of Europe's greatest clubs, especially after a fine performance in the UEFA Champions League against Real Madrid in which Goran Pandev scored twice.

Bayern Munich, Liverpool F.C., Chelsea F.C. and Tottenham Hotspur F.C. all showed keen interest, however Pandev decided to remain in Rome, until Goran Pandev contract expires in 2010.

On the 11 January 2009 Goran Pandev scored Goran Pandev first hat-trick in Serie A against Reggina.

On 24 March 2009, Goran Pandev was awarded the Medal for Service to the Country by the President of the Republic of Macedonia Branko Crvenkovski "in acknowledgement of Goran Pandev sporting achievements and Goran Pandev contribution to developing and popularizing sport in Macedonia as well as promoting the country abroad".

International career

Pandev is the star player of the Republic of Macedonia national football team and is widely considered to be one of the two best players the country has produced alongside former Yugoslavia national football team and Red Star Belgrade great Darko Pančev.

Pandev, so far, has won 44 caps for Goran Pandev country and scored 15 goals, and is the man who is currently leading a charge for Macedonia to reach their first ever FIFA World Cup.

International goals

Honours

Lazio

- Image:Coccarda Coppa Italia.svg Coppa Italia: 1 (Coppa Italia 2008-09)