Serbian international Uros Kovacevic will return to the Italian SuperLega Credem Banca after four seasons away, playing for clubs from China, Poland and Russia. The 31-year-old star has joined next season’s squad of Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza transferring from Russia’s Ural Ufa.

“I am very happy to be able to return to play in Italy,” the 1.98m-tall outside hitter said. “And even happier to come to Gas Sales Bluenergy, a big club that in just a few years has made itself known and established itself not only in Italy. When the call from Piacenza came, it didn't take me long to say ‘yes’. I know the Italian championship and I know how difficult, but also how beautiful, it is to be able to play in it. I have joined a strong team that will be able to have its say. My commitment will be at the maximum so that the club's objectives can be achieved. I can't wait to start this new adventure of mine and get to know the Piacenza fans.”

After starting his career at his native Ribnica Kraljevo and moving through Slovenian powerhouse ACH Volley Ljubljana, Kovacevic first arrived in Italy in 2012 and spent three seasons at Modena Volley. Then he played with Calzedonia Verona for two seasons, before joining Tretino Volley Trento for another three seasons. With Trentino, Kovacevic triumphed at the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Men’s Club World Championship and in the 2019 CEV Cup. While in Italy, the Serbian outside also lifted the 2015 Coppa Italia trophy with Modena and the 2016 CEV Challenge Cup crown with Verona.

Kovacevic is now expected to extend his impressive SuperLega record. During the eight seasons he has competed in the Italian championship, he has played 226 matches and won 141 of them. He was selected match MVP 46 times and scored as many as 2,629 points, of which 2260 kills in attack, 154 serving aces and 215 kill blocks.

Kovacevic is one of the major power engines of the Serbian national team. Following a number of world and continental podiums with the youth and the junior selections, he helped the senior team win the 2016 FIVB Volleyball World League and the CEV European Championships in 2011 and in 2019. Among the numerous individual awards he has collected throughout his career, his EuroVolley 2019 and 2011 FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U19 World Championship MVP recognitions are the two that stand out.

“He is a player very much desired by our club, because he is a very talented boy, who has reached a level of maturity and experience that will certainly be able to help our team remain in the top places of the rankings,” said Gas Sales’ head coach Andrea Anastasi. “I'm happy that he's with us next season. We're all very confident that he can give us a hand also with his original approach, which has never been lacking wherever he has played.”

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