Euro Keepers
Reims In a sentence
Much in-vogue Serbian keeper, rated the best custodian in Ligue 1 last season and a brilliant penalty-saving specialist. What they say
“He has the big size and I’m not over-exaggerating when I say he reminds me of Bayern and Germany’s Manuel Neuer. He has the same attitude and posture. He is comfortable with both feet and exudes assurance and personality.” Sebastien Hamel, Reims goalkeeper coach.
“He’s a young keeper with huge potential. As a person, he is very open and wants to listen. He already has tremendous mental toughness. He really imposes himself in his penalty area.” David Guion, Reims head coach.
The story so far
Grew up in Negotin, eastern Serbia, with a former goalkeeper for a father, coach and mentor. Rajkovic senior, first name Sasa, used to play in goal in the third and fourth tiers of the domestic pyramid for Hajduk Veljko, where Predrag began his youth career.
After seven years he moved to FK Jagodina, making his professional debut against Partizan Belgrade at the age of 17. That same year, 2013, he helped Serbia triumph at the European U19 Championship, saving two penalties in a shoot-out victory over Portugal in the semi-finals. Two years later, he came up trumps at the U20 World Cup too, skippering the side to victory and winning the Golden Glove as the tournament’s best goalkeeper.
After spending two seasons with Red Star Belgrade, he surprisingly moved to Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2015, where he gained Champions League experience, played 196 games over four seasons, and won a domestic league and cup double in 2018-19.
French side Reims paid €5m for him a year ago, and he quickly delivered in Champagne land, keeping 12 Ligue 1 clean sheets, saving four out of five penalties and marshalling the meanest back line in the French top flight (only conceding 18 goals in 27 outings).
Since making his senior international debut against Colombia in August 2013, he has competed with Eibar’s Marko Dmitrovic for Serbia’s No1. jersey.
The next step
Despite rumours of a big-money move this summer (to PSG, Milan or Sevilla), he seems happy to remain at the Stade Auguste-Delaune for one more season. Reims president Jean-Pierre Caillot is thought to want at least €20m for Rajkovic, who still has three years left on his current deal.
Strengths
His commanding presence, sensational reflexes and ability to stand tall and wide in one-on-one situations. Good sweeper-keeper instincts and very positive when coming for crosses.
Weaknesses
Occasionally lets his latent eccentricity bubble to the surface, and must be more accurate in his long-kicking game.
“I’m not over-exaggerating when I say he reminds me of Bayern and Germany’s Manuel Neuer” Sebastien Hamel, Reims goalkeeper coach