Damir Čakar (; born 28 June 1973) is a Montenegrin former professional footballer who played as either an attacking midfielder or a striker. He is known for his powerful shots and set pieces.
Club career Čakar started out at his local club Rudar Pljevlja, before joining Budućnost Titograd, aged 15. He made his senior debut for the side during the final 1991–92 edition of the Yugoslav First League. Afterwards, Čakar returned to Rudar Pljevlja for the 1992–93 Second League of FR Yugoslavia, helping them win promotion to the First League of FR Yugoslavia. He subsequently moved to Borac Čačak, spending the next year and a half at the club.
In the 1995 winter transfer window, Čakar was transferred to Partizan. He was the team's top scorer in 1995–96 and 1996–97, helping them win back-to-back championships. In the summer of 1997, Čakar was sold to French side Châteauroux. He scored three league goals in his debut season at the club, as they suffered relegation from the top flight. In the following 1998–99 campaign, Čakar appeared in just four league games, before eventually leaving Châteauroux.
After two years abroad, Čakar returned to FR Yugoslavia and joined ambitious Sartid Smederevo in early 2000. He however failed to make an impact there due to an injury, before terminating his contract by mutual agreement with the club's chairman. Subsequently, Čakar signed with Sutjeska Nikšić. He scored 19 league goals in 23 appearances in the 2000–01 First League of FR Yugoslavia, securing him a return to Partizan. Over the next two seasons, Čakar added two more championship titles to his collection. He also helped Partizan reach the UEFA Champions League group stage in the 2003–04 campaign. In February 2005, Čakar was loaned to his parent club Rudar Pljevlja.
In the summer of 2005, Čakar extended his contract with Rudar Pljevlja, helping the side win the Montenegrin Cup in its first edition. He subsequently moved to fellow Montenegrin First League club Mogren, winning his second national cup, before eventually retiring from the game.
International career At international level, Čakar earned three caps for FR Yugoslavia. He made his national team debut on 31 March 1995, coming on as a substitute for Dejan Stefanović in a 1–0 friendly win over Uruguay. Six years later, Čakar received a call-up to the squad for the 2001 Kirin Cup.
Post-playing career In October 2015, Čakar was hired as a scout by Partizan under newly appointed sporting director Ivica Iliev.
In October 2022, Čakar was appointed as manager of Serbian SuperLiga club Novi Pazar.
Personal life Born in Pljevlja, Čakar grew up in a footballing family. His father Rasim and uncle Safet both played for Rudar Pljevlja. They are considered among the greatest players in the club's history.
Career statistics
Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsBudućnost Podgorica1991–92Yugoslav First League20—20Rudar Pljevlja1992–93Second League of FR Yugoslavia301711—3118Borac Čačak1993–94Second League of FR Yugoslavia—1994–95First League of FR Yugoslavia1511—1511Total1511—1511Partizan1994–95First League of FR Yugoslavia12700—1271995–96First League of FR Yugoslavia321672—39181996–97First League of FR Yugoslavia292010403420Total734382408545Châteauroux1997–98French Division 124310—2531998–99French Division 24000—401999–2000French Division 20000—00Total28310—293Sartid Smederevo1999–2000First League of FR Yugoslavia7000—70Sutjeska Nikšić2000–01First League of FR Yugoslavia231910—2419Partizan2001–02First League of FR Yugoslavia299304436132002–03First League of Serbia and Montenegro267127234112003–04First League of Serbia and Montenegro12420602042004–05First League of Serbia and Montenegro00000000Total6720621769028Career total245113175216283124
International + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsFR Yugoslavia199510199600199700199800199900200000200120Total30
Managerial statistics As of 9 March 2026 + Managerial record by team and tenure Team Nat From To RecordNovi Pazar 15 October 202214 December 2022Partizan 23 February 20269 March 2026 Career totals
Honours Partizan First League of FR Yugoslavia: 1995–96, 1996–97, 2001–02, 2002–03 Rudar Pljevlja Montenegrin Cup: 2006–07 Mogren Montenegrin Cup: 2007–08 Individual Montenegrin First League top scorer: 2006–07
References
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