Playing Champions League then going to Saudi Arabia and coming back to the Champions League again, you couldn t imagine that, Degenek, who returned to Red Star on loan in July before signing a four-year contract, told Omnisport. You dream about it and you sacrifice a lot for it to happen.
Last year it was me that helped Red Star a lot in the qualifiers against Salzburg but it wasn t just me. It s a team effort. It s never just down to one player.
The Socceroos defender – who fled the war-torn Balkan region with his family in the 1990s, relocating to Australia – added: I had the six months playing Champions League and then it was time for me to go to Saudi Arabia to Al Hilal, where I had a good stint. I played in the Asian Champions League and played with some unbelievable players. I had a lot of fun there, it was a good experience.
But eventually things turned around and I ended up coming back to Red Star. I wanted European football again. I m 25 and I believe I still have a lot to offer in Europe and I can show that to the world, that s why I m very excited to be back. It s my home, it s the club I love.
Degenek is preparing for another Champions League campaign, this time involving Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, last season s runners-up Tottenham and Greek giants Olympiacos in Group B.
Like last season, Degenek played a big role in the play-offs. He scored a priceless goal as Red Star drew 2-2 at Young Boys before prevailing over the Swiss side on away goals last month.
