Why it could be 'Marezi' leading the line for Portsmouth next season and not Marko Milovanović
Pompey remain in negotiation with UD Almeria for striker Marko Milovanović, who is more commonly known as Marezi
As Pompey look to strike a deal with UD Almeria for Serbian centre-forward Marko Milovanović, it’s fair to say the Fratton faithful are bracing themselves for the arrival of a true powerhouse number nine who can help solve the goalscoring woes that were on display last season.
It’s a name and price tag - potentially in the region of around €3.5m to €5m - that has the PO4 fanbase genuinely excited as the Blues look to kick-start their transfer window with a statement of intent.
Yet if an agreement can be reached between Pompey and the Spanish second-tier outfit after one failed attempt, the name printed across the back of the player’s famous royal blue shirt will not be Milovanović. Instead, the Pompey fans should expect to see ‘Marezi’ leading the line for them next term and beyond.
For those curious to know why, this is no sudden marketing gimmick by the player or standard Western rebranding.
And to understand why the 6ft 4in forward prefers his nickname on his kit, plus his social media channels, rather than his surname, a look back to his early years in home town Smederevo and Belgrade is necessary.
‘Marezi’ is a deeply sentimental moniker rooted in Milovanović’s Serbian childhood, acting as an affectionate, localized blend of his first name, Marko, combined with traditional Slavic diminutive roots used by his family and early coaches.
In Balkan football culture, a singular nickname on a jersey carries immense weight. It signifies a player who plays with the identity and freedom of the areas where they first kicked a ball.
Milovanović - which is a common name is Serbia - has worn ‘Marezi’ like armor throughout his rise through the footballing ranks, from the youth team of Partizan Belgrade to Almeria and Alverca, where he stood out from the crowd following 10 goals in 31 loan appearances last season.
The name also represents a defiance of expectation. The Pompey target previously self-assessed his unique, explosive skill set to Spanish media by stating: ‘I’m not your typical player, and it’s not easy to put me in.’
Despite his towering frame, he rejects the label of a static target man, adding: ‘My best quality is scoring goals. But I can also run, jump, and fight... I’m very fast for my height, and I can be dangerous in many ways.’
If the Blues can finalise a deal for Milovanovic, the club will get a modern, aggressive striker who refuses to detach his professional identity from his proud Serbian roots.
And if the forward helps Pompey reach the heights so many supporters hope they can this season, you can guarantee fans will flock to the club shop to get ‘Marezi’ emblaszoned on their shirts.