Former Valletta FC and Sliema Wanderers legend Danilo Doncic dies, aged 54
02/05/2024
Maltese football was shocked by the news on Wednesday that former Valletta and Sliema Wanderers striker Danilo Doncic passed away aged 54.
Reports in Bulgarian media said that Doncic died of a heart attack after having health problems for the past few months.
The body of the prolific goalscorer was found lifeless in his apartment in the Bulgarian capital.
Doncic has been in Bulgaria for the past few months as he was the coach of Lokomotiv Sofia. He stepped from his job last week.
However, Doncic will be fondly remembered in Maltese football for his trophy-laden spell at Valletta and Sliema Wanderers before managing several clubs after he hang up his boots.
Doncic will surely be fondly remembered by his former club Valletta FC with whom he made a name for himself as a prolific goalscorer.
He arrived in Maltese football in the summer of 1994 when he joined Valletta FC from Serbian side FK Belgrade.
After a slow start to his career at the City club he established himsef as a prolific goalscorer, scoring 58 goals in 63 appearances.
At Valletta he won the Premier League in 1996-97 in a season where he finished as the league top scorer with 32 goals. He also led the Citizens to three FA Trophy titles.
After leaving Valletta he moved to Bulgaria where he spent two years with Lokomotiv Sofia.
In 2001, he was back in Malta when he joined Sliema Wanderers and the Serbian forward managed to help the Blues to three successive titles between 2003 and 2005 as well as the FA Trophy in 2004.
With the Wanderers he continued to underline his status as a prolific goalscorer, finishing as top scorer three times, netting 32 goals in 2001-02, 18 goals in 2002-03, and 19 goals 2003-04.
With the Wanderers he made 133 appearances, and scored 93 goals.
After ending his playing career, he went into management an was appointed coach at Floriana, Sliema Wanderers, Tarxien Rainbows, Mosta and St Andrews.
In 2017, he took over at Valletta FC where he spent two seasons, leading them to the league and cup double before returning to the club for a short spell in 2022 where he led the team to the FA Trophy final.
Source: timesofmalta
