HE’S DON Aberdeen lose defender to former club despite transfer window closing ten days ago.

SLOBODAN RUBEZIC has rejoined Novi Pazar in Serbia on loan until the end of the season, 10 days after the Scottish Premiership transfer market closed.

The 24-year-old Aberdeen defender joined the Dons from the same club in August 2023, managed by Barry Robson.

Rubezic’s contract with Pittodrie ends in summer 2026, although he will return to his native country for the rest of the season.

In 57 appearances for Aberdeen, the center-back has only scored once.

In a 3-0 loss to St Mirren, he was replaced five minutes before halftime.

Jimmy Thelin, Dons manager, lauded Rubezic for his work ethic and indicated that the player wished to return home for more consistent game time.

Thelin stated that while Slobodan has demonstrated exceptional professionalism and application since his arrival, he has decided to return to Serbia for more regular game time.

“We would like to wish him well during his time at his former club.”

Rubezic was an unused substitute in Aberdeen’s last league game against Hibs and was not included in the Scottish Cup match against Dunfermline.

Rubezic had been a regular starter before the January transfer window, but the signings of Kristers Tobers, Mats Knoester, and Alfie Dorrington on loan knocked him down the pecking order.

Tobers, 24, is Latvia’s current captain, while Knoester, 26, is a former Dutch youth international.

Dorrington, 19, is highly rated at Tottenham Hotspur.

The Serbian Superliga runs from a different calendar to most of European football.

Rather than a traditional August to May schedule, Serbia follows a July to April timeline.

Their winter transfer window this season is open between January 18 to February 14.

Rubezic therefore becomes a pre-deadline day signing for Novi Pazat.

Currently sitting 10th in the league, Novi Pazar could still overhaul the likes of TSC, Radnicki Nis, Cukaricki and Vojvodina to qualify for the top half split.

Red Star Belgrade are runaway leaders in the league, 21 points clear of nearest challengers Partizan Belgrade.

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