Ex-Ajax & Southampton star Dusan Tadic teams up with Marko Arnautovic after agreeing return to finish playing career at Serbian giants

Tadic has returned to Serbia, signing with Red Star after leaving Fenerbahce. According to MONDO, the 35-year-old former Serbia captain agreed to all terms on Wednesday evening and will soon join his new team-mates.

Tadic’s move is being hailed as the biggest transfer in Serbian football in the 21st century. A veteran of Ajax, Southampton, and Twente, he now ends his playing career where it began at home. The club offered him a two-year contract with an option to extend and even a long-term plan to help him transition into coaching, a path Tadic is seriously considering. This transfer also sees him join Arnautovic, who recently signed with Red Star, marking a significant addition to the squad both emotionally and strategically.

Red Star's general director Zvezdan Terzic led the effort to bring Tadic back, and said: "I told him: 'Duca, I've known you since you were born, if you were my son, I wouldn't have a dilemma. I would tell you, son, come to Zvezda. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. You need another 30-40 years to do something after your playing career, and Zvezda will allow all the doors of European football to open for you'."

He added: "We held several talks with Dusan Tadic. Our wish is that he appeared on the market after parting with Fenerbahce. We did everything in our power, we crossed the red lines regarding the conditions. The indisputable desire of all of us, from the management to the coaching staff to the teammates, is for Dusan Tadic to come. I told him: We will not pressure you, you have an open invitation from Red Star until September 1, when the transfer window closes. It's up to him."

The former Ajax star is expected to start training with the Red and Whites immediately, with a possible debut in the crucial Champions League qualifier against Lech Poznan. Off the pitch, Red Star plan to support his coaching ambitions, potentially setting him up for a long-term future at the club even after he hangs up his boots.