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Official confirmation of the first member of the 2017-18 #CFC #LoanArmy, Danilo Pantic to Partizan. https://t.co/xSQdW4abLV
— Chelsea Youth (@chelseayouth) June 19, 2017
The 20-year-old will spend the upcoming season on loan at Partizan Belgrade, the club that sold him to Chelsea two years ago.
“I have two or three tough years behind me. Not everyone’s path is the same, some keep going forward but some find it hard. I have no reason for despair though, as a new opportunity is ahead of me. As soon as I walked through this door I felt love that I didn’t feel playing abroad. I’m ready to train and battle for my spot in the team.”
“It’s truly unbelievable I’m back. I thought it was never going to happen but you have to believe and want something hard for it come true. I hope I’ll help our team achieve best possible results, I’m here to help Partizan in everything that awaits the club this season.”
“I didn’t have success abroad but that one great experience. When I was here during my first term I was young and ambitious, it’s hard when you are just a kid. Now I feel true love for the club and being here means a lot to me. Can`t wait to start again.”
- Danilo Pantic; source: FC Partizan Belgrade
Pantic has had two forgettable years on loan in the Netherlands, first with Vitesse Arnhem where he played just 94 minutes all season that led to some ill-advised comments and controversy, and most recently, with Eredivisie minnows Excelsior where he played about five times as much, which is still very little. Turning 21 in October, Pantic is still young and should find it much easier back in his home country in familiar surroundings. Hopefully it’ll be a welcome change for him.