Serbian forward Petar Gigic arrived at Khujand as the most valuable foreign player in the Tajik Higher League. In an interview with Eurasia Football, the former Partizan striker spoke about his move to Tajikistan, Khujand’s difficult run, the level of the league and why Central Asia remains an interesting market for his career.
Gigic is currently valued by Transfermarkt at €400,000, the highest figure among foreign players in Tajikistan this season. At his peak, he was valued at €1 million — more than any player currently competing in the country’s top division.
The 29-year-old came to Tajikistan with experience in Serbia, Hungary, Turkey and Greece. His career includes Partizan, Ujpest, Boluspor and Javor. With Ujpest, he won the Hungarian Cup. With Partizan, he finished second in the Serbian SuperLiga and reached the Serbian Cup final.
After returning to Serbia, Gigic had one of his most consistent spells at Javor. He played regularly in the SuperLiga, became an important player in attack and finished the 2022/23 season as the team’s top assist provider.
Gigic was one of several Serbian arrivals at Khujand in the winter. The club appointed Milan Milanovic as head coach and brought in a group of players from the Balkans.
“I played in Serbia, Hungary, Turkey and Greece. I had experience in different leagues and big clubs. Milan Milanovic knows me well from Serbian football and knows my qualities. We spoke, and after that I decided to come to Khujand,” Gigic told Eurasia Football.
In the Tajik Higher League, Gigic has played eight matches, scored once and provided one assist. For a striker with his background, the return has been modest. Khujand’s recent form has also shaped the picture: the team has lost three matches in a row.
Gigic remains a regular starter. He holds the ball up, competes with defenders, creates space for teammates and helps Khujand move attacks forward.
“I understand the expectations. I am a striker, so people expect goals from me. Of course, I want to score more. That is my job. But a forward also has to work for the team, make runs, fight, help teammates and create chances. The most important thing for me is that the team wins,” Gigic said.
Khujand have had an uneven start to the season. After a solid spell, the team dropped points in several matches and entered a difficult period. Gigic says the response has to come through work.
“We started quite well, then had a decline. We lost points, we had defeats. It is a difficult moment, but this happens in football. Now we have to return to good results, correct our mistakes and start collecting points again,” the Serbian forward said.
Gigic is careful when assessing the level of the Tajik league. He avoids direct comparisons with Serbia, Hungary, Turkey or Greece, but says the league can grow.
“The league is not bad. Of course, it is different from the leagues where I played before, but there are good players here and teams that try to play in an organised way. I think the Tajik league can grow. It needs time, but there is potential,” he said.
He also praised the organisation at Khujand.
“If we speak about Khujand, the club works professionally. That is important for a footballer. There is organisation here, a coaching staff and players who want results,” Gigic added.
For Gigic, Central Asia may become more than a short spell in Tajikistan. At 29, the Serbian forward believes he can still play at a good level and sees neighbouring leagues as realistic options.
“I am 29 and I can still play at a good level. Central Asia is an interesting region. Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are good options for a footballer. These are leagues where you can play, develop and move forward. I am interested in that,” Gigic said.
For now, his focus remains on Khujand.
“I am at Khujand now, and my task is to play here. We will see what happens next,” he said.