Crvena Zvezda Shatters Domestic Record with Historic Signing of Daglas Owusu
BELGRADE – In a move that has sent shockwaves through Serbian football, Crvena Zvezda (Red Star Belgrade) officially announced the signing of 19-year-old Ghanaian sensation Daglas Owusu (Douglas Owusu) from Radnik Surdulica.
The transfer, finalized earlier this month, sets a new benchmark for domestic transactions in the Serbian SuperLiga. Zvezda agreed to a total package worth €2.2 million (with some reports suggesting the total commitment could reach €2.7 million including bonuses), surpassing the previous record of €2 million paid for Uroš Sremčević last year.
A Battle for the “Pearl of Surdulica”
Owusu’s arrival at the Marakana is a significant victory for the club’s management. The young winger, who has been the standout performer in the league this season, was heavily pursued by several international clubs. Interest reportedly came from Feyenoord, Viktoria Plzen, and Egyptian giants Al Ahli, the latter of whom allegedly saw a €2.5 million bid rejected by Radnik earlier in the winter.
Ultimately, the lure of playing for the Serbian champions and the project presented by returning head coach Dejan Stanković proved decisive for the Ghanaian talent.
The Deal at a Glance
The financial structure of the deal highlights Zvezda’s aggressive investment strategy:
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Transfer Fee: €2.2 million (Record for a domestic signing).
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Payment Structure: €1 million paid upfront, with the remainder in installments.
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Sell-on Clause: Radnik Surdulica retains 15% of any future transfer fee.
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Contract Length: 3.5 years.
Who is Daglas Owusu?
Owusu is a left-footed winger who primarily operates on the right flank, known for his blistering speed and technical dribbling. Since arriving in Serbia from Ghana in 2024, he has been a revelation:
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Performance: Scored 7 goals in 20 appearances for Radnik this season.
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Impact: Was the driving force behind Radnik’s promotion efforts and their strong showing in the top tier.
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Role: He is expected to provide immediate competition for Shavy Babicka and Felicio Milson as Zvezda prepares for their Europa League knockout clash against Malmö FF.
Stanković’s Vision
Upon the player’s presentation, the club’s sporting director, Mitar Mrkela, noted that Owusu was a “priority target” to modernize the team’s attack. Under Dejan Stanković, Zvezda is shifting toward a high-intensity, vertical style of play where Owusu’s pace is expected to be a primary weapon.
“I am very happy to be here,” Owusu said during his promotion. “Zvezda is a huge club with a great history. I chose my jersey number in honor of my late mother, and I want to prove that I belong on this stage.”
What’s Next?
Owusu has already joined the squad at their winter training camp in Antalya, Turkey. While he didn’t feature heavily in the recent friendly against RB Salzburg, fans are eager to see him make his competitive debut when the SuperLiga resumes and the European campaign kicks off later this month.
