“I’m confident that he will be a standout in the A-League,” were the words that came out of Graham Arnold’s mouth when Sydney FC announced the signing of Milos Ninkovic in 2015.
But even then-Sky Blues boss Arnold could not have predicted the impact the former Serbia international would have, not only on Sydney, but the A-League Men upon his arrival from French club Evian.
Almost seven years later, with multiple pieces of silverware, individual honours and his status as one of the competition’s greatest ever players established, Ninkovic and Sydney are parting ways.
With an era coming to an end in Sydney after weeks of negotiations, KEEPUP takes a look at the numbers behind Ninkovic’s time as a Sky Blue.
3 – Ninkovic leaves Sydney FC with three Championships and as many Premierships after a sustained period of dominance from the Sky Blues. The former Dynamo Kyiv and Red Star Belgrade midfielder played a key role in back-to-back Championships in 2019 and 2020.
2 – The skilful Serb received two Johnny Warren Medals in a Sydney jersey. The first came in the club’s 2016-17 Championship-winning season and he shared the 2020-21 honour with Wellington Phoenix’s Ulises Davila. Ninkovic is only one of six players to win the individual honour multiple times, along with Socceroos legend Mark Viduka, Brisbane Roar great Thomas Broich, South Melbourne’s Paul Trimboli, former Australia international Scotti Chipperfield and Adelaide icon Damian Mori.
1 – Ninkovic leaves Sydney with an Australia Cup (then known as the FFA Cup) medal. He scored in the 2-1 extra-time victory over Adelaide United in the 2017 decider.
1 – A league champion in Ukraine and Serbia, Ninkovic earned A-Leagues All Stars selection with the Sky Blues last season. He went up against LaLiga powerhouse Barcelona at Accor Stadium.
221 – Only current Sky Blue Rhyan Grant (276) and club great Alex Brosque (267) have amassed more appearances for Sydney across all competitions. Of those games, 181 have come in the ALM, putting Ninkovic third on the club’s all-time list.
41 – He wasn’t a striker but Ninkovic still sits fourth on the club’s all-time list for goals, behind Brosque (83), Bobo (71) and Adam Le Fondre (60). He is also fourth when it comes to ALM goals for Sydney with 35.
35 – Since Ninkovic made his ALM debut in 2015, no player has tallied more assists. Former team-mate Kosta Barbarouses, Dimi Petratos, Diego Castro (all 31), and James Troisi (30) are the next best.
245 – One of the league’s best imports, Ninkovic loves the ball at his feet and the veteran has completed the second-most dribbles in the league, a number only bettered by Perth Glory legend Castro (356). Ninkovic also ranks second for passes in opposition half (5,033), duels (2,053), duel success (53%), possession won (1,117) and possession won in the final third (110) since 2015.
