:Nikola Žigić

Žigić was born in Bačka Topola, in what was then SFR Yugoslavia, the son of Jovan, a former footballer, and his wife Milica,{{cite news |url=http://www.politika.rs/rubrike/Sport/t9412.lt.html |title=Fudbalski soliter |language=sr |trans-title=Football skyscraper |first=Momčilo |last=Jokić |newspaper=Politika |location=Belgrade |date=15 October 2006 |access-date=21 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927150509/http://www.politika.rs/rubrike/Sport/t9412.lt.html |archive-date=27 September 2015}} who had been a basketball player.{{cite news |url=http://mondo.rs/a152535/Sport/Fudbal/Krasic-i-Zigic-Pobedili-bismo-Milosa-i-Nikolu.html |title=Krasić i Žigić: Pobedili bismo Miloša i Nikolu |language=sr |trans-title=Krasić and Žigić: We would have beaten Miloš and Nikola |website=Mondo.rs |date=31 October 2009 |access-date=23 November 2015}} He completed his secondary education at the mechanical engineering school in Bačka Topola.{{cite news |url=http://www.vesti.rs/fudbal/Zanimanja-fudbalera-Mihajlovic-obucar-Bajkovic-popravlja-ves-masine.html |title=Zanimanja fudbalera: Mihajlović obućar, Bajković popravlja veš mašine... |language=sr |trans-title=Footballers' occupations: Mihajlović a cobbler, Bajković repairing washing machines... |newspaper=Sportski žurnal |location=Belgrade |via=Vesti.rs |date=7 January 2013 |access-date=23 November 2015}} His brother Branko, 15 months his junior, also became a footballer, as a central defender with clubs including Cement Beočin and Serbian First League club Proleter Novi Sad.{{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/branko-igi/145051/ |title=B. Zigic |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=21 May 2015}} During the Yugoslav Wars in 1999, Žigić's hometown was beneath the flight-path of NATO bombers heading for Belgrade; for much of that part of the conflict, the family home was without electricity or running water.{{cite news |url=http://athletic.elcorreo.com/noticias/2009-04-25/zigic-vuela-alto-20090425.html |title=Zigic vuela muy alto |language=es |trans-title=Zigic flies higher |first=Robert |last=Basic |newspaper=El Correo |location=Bilbao |date=25 April 2009 |access-date=19 May 2015 |archive-date=27 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927182119/http://athletic.elcorreo.com/noticias/2009-04-25/zigic-vuela-alto-20090425.html |url-status=dead }}

Žigić is married to Sanja; the couple have two daughters and a son.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-nikola-zigic-chris-7097375 |title=Birmingham City boss will offer new deals to Nikola Zigic and Chris Burke |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=10 May 2014 |access-date=21 May 2015}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2018/nikola-zigic-calls-on-blues-to-summon-their-survival-spirit/ |title=Nikola Zigic calls on Blues to summon their survival spirit |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=18 April 2018 |access-date=6 February 2019 |archive-date=25 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425060516/https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2018/nikola-zigic-calls-on-blues-to-summon-their-survival-spirit/ |url-status=dead }} {{Asof|2018}}, they were living near Valencia, Spain, and Žigić was assisting in his agent's business.

He joined his hometown football club, AIK Bačka Topola, as a youngster, and graduated to the senior side in 1998–99. He began as a centre back, but soon realised he preferred scoring goals to defending.{{cite news |url=http://www.b92.net/sport/intervjui/pobednickih11.php?yyyy=2007&mm=10&nav_id=269408 |title=Nikola Žigić: 'Voleo bih da igram sa Zvezdom u LŠ' |language=sr |trans-title=Nikola Žigić: 'I'd like to play for Red Star in the Champions League' |first1=Miloš |last1=Šaranović |first2=Nina |last2=Kolundžija |publisher=B92 |date=25 October 2007 |access-date=22 May 2015}} Žigić's parents did not want him to take football seriously until he completed his education, and he remained with AIK Bačka Topola until 2001, scoring 68 goals in 76 matches in the Serbian League Vojvodina, the third level of Yugoslav football. When military service took him to Bar, he was able to play for the local club, Mornar, for whom he scored 15 goals from 23 appearances in the 2001–02 Second League of FR Yugoslavia. After trials in France with Saint-Étienne and Créteil came to nothing,{{cite news |url=http://maxifoot.fr/newsplus518.php |title=L2: Les Verts en pleine mutation |language=fr |trans-title=L2: The Greens in a state of change |first=Frédéric |last=Coudrais |website=Maxifoot |date=August 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020804223600/http://maxifoot.fr/newsplus518.php |archive-date=4 August 2002 |url-status=live}}
{{cite news |url=http://www.leparisien.fr/val-de-marne/creteil-essaie-zigic-28-08-2002-2003354832.php |title=Créteil essaie Zigic |language=fr |trans-title=Créteil trial Zigic |author=S.B. |newspaper=Le Parisien |date=28 August 2002 |access-date=26 May 2015}} Žigić returned home where he played 8 matches for third-tier club Kolubara, scoring 3 goals.

Žigić signed his first professional contract in January 2003, with Red Star Belgrade,{{cite news |url=https://www.b92.net/sport/fudbal/vesti.php?yyyy=2003&mm=01&dd=31&nav_id=82429 |title=Lalatović potpisao za Šahtjor, došao Žigić |language=sr |trans-title=Lalatović signed for Shakhtar, Žigić arrived |publisher=B92 |date=31 January 2003 |access-date=28 March 2019}} the biggest club in the country. Because he was not considered ready for first-team football at that level, he spent the latter part of the 2002–03 season on loan at Spartak Subotica, another third-tier side, for whom his goalscoring rate was even higher: 14 goals from just 11 league games.

Returning head coach Slavoljub Muslin brought Žigić into Red Star's senior squad for the 2003–04 First League season,{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/025a-0eaada1a92fe-7312d59ed12c-1000--zigic-aiming-to-stand-tall/ |title=Žigic aiming to stand tall |first=Aleksandar |last=Boskovic |publisher=Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) |date=18 August 2003 |access-date=22 May 2015}} and gave him his debut in the starting eleven on the opening day. That first game ended in defeat,{{cite web |url=http://www.redstarbelgrade.info/statistika/istorija/prva-liga-srj-scg/view_match/2050.html |title=09-08-2003 Hапредак 2:1 Црвена звезда |language=sr |trans-title=09-08-2003 Napredak 2–1 Red Star |website=redstarbelgrade.info |access-date=22 May 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124063028/http://www.redstarbelgrade.info/statistika/istorija/prva-liga-srj-scg/view_match/2050.html |archive-date=24 November 2015}} and Žigić's physical appearance – a growth spurt from the age of 16 had brought his height to {{height|m=2.02}} – provoked suggestions that he might be better suited to basketball.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/dec/04/nikola-zigic-birmingham-city |title=Nikola Zigic is helping Birmingham to walk tall in the second city |first=Stuart |last=James |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=4 December 2010 |access-date=22 May 2015}} He opened the scoring as they beat Hajduk Kula 2–0 in the next league match.{{cite web |url=http://www.redstarbelgrade.info/statistika/istorija/prva-liga-srj-scg/view_match/2051.html |title=23-08-2003 Црвена звезда 2:0 Хајдук (К) |language=sr |trans-title=23-08-2003 Red Star 2–0 Hajduk (K) |website=redstarbelgrade.info |access-date=22 May 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124083331/http://www.redstarbelgrade.info/statistika/istorija/prva-liga-srj-scg/view_match/2051.html |archive-date=24 November 2015}} In between, he produced a hat-trick against Nistru in the 2003–04 UEFA Cup qualifying round,{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0194-0e6a6cfd3a7c-f2320a025565-1000--zigic-shines-in-zvezda-stroll/ |title=Žigic shines in Zvezda stroll |publisher=UEFA |date=14 August 2003 |access-date=22 May 2015}} and went on to contribute a further three goals as Red Star beat Odense 6–5 on aggregate in the first round.{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0195-0e6ab79fdf40-40a556b85e28-1000--borre-rescues-draw-for-ob/ |title=Borre rescues draw for OB |publisher=UEFA |date=24 September 2003 |access-date=22 May 2015}}
{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/73488--crvena-zvezda-vs-ob/ |title=2003/04 UEFA Cup Crvena zvezda 4–3 OB |publisher=UEFA |date=15 October 2003 |access-date=18 January 2018}} He scored twice in the 3–0 win in the Eternal Derby against Partizan, and celebrated by miming a basketball shot.{{cite news |url=http://www.arhiva.serbia.gov.rs/news/2003-11/08/331816.html |title=Red Star – Partizan 3–0 |publisher=Office of Media Relations, Serbian Government |date=8 November 2003 |access-date=23 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124145135/http://www.arhiva.serbia.gov.rs/news/2003-11/08/331816.html |archive-date=24 November 2015 |url-status=dead}}
{{cite news |url=http://www.espnfc.com/blog/espn-fc-united-blog/68/post/2460600/red-star-partizan-belgrade-derby-andy-mitten |title=On derby day in Belgrade, violence overshadows events on the pitch |first=Andy |last=Mitten |website=ESPN FC |date=22 May 2015 |access-date=22 May 2015}} By the mid-season break, he had 12 league goals as well as the 6 in the UEFA Cup, and was named Player of the Year for 2003, both by the captains of the First League teams voting via the Večernje novosti newspaper{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=135464.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506181928/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=135464.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 May 2016 |title=Žigic crowns memorable rise |publisher=UEFA |date=30 December 2003 |access-date=22 May 2015}} and by the Football Association. He finished the season as the league's top scorer, with 18, as Red Star won their 23rd title,{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesj/joegchamp.html |title=Yugoslavia/Serbia (and Montenegro) – List of Champions |first=Karel |last=Stokkermans |date=21 May 2015 |website=RSSSF |access-date=22 May 2015}} and scored the winning goal in the cup final.

Resuming the partnership with Marko Pantelić begun in the second half of 2003–04, Žigić continued to score freely in the new season. With Red Star two goals and a man down in the first leg of the Champions League qualifier against Young Boys, he netted twice in the last 12 minutes to give his team an away draw.{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/79228--young-boys-vs-crvena-zvezda/postmatch/report/index.html |title=Zigic double denies Young Boys |first=Marco |last=Keller |publisher=UEFA |date=28 July 2004 |access-date=23 May 2015}} Domestically, Pantelić top-scored with 21 league goals and Žigić contributed 15 as Red Star finished in second place, behind Partizan.{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesj/joegtops.html |title=Yugoslavia/Serbia (and Montenegro) – List of Topscorers |first1=Misha |last1=Miladinovich |first2=Igor |last2=Kramarsic |date=5 June 2014 |website=RSSSF |access-date=23 May 2015}} Žigić scored against Partizan to help Red Star reach the cup final, but was one of five regular starters unavailable for that match through injury or suspension, and his team lost to a last-minute goal to ten-man Železnik.{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesj/joegcup05.html |title=Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) Cup 2004/05 |first=Dragoljub |last=Jovanovic |date=26 May 2005 |website=RSSSF |access-date=23 May 2015}}
{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=304417.html |title=Famous first for Železnik |first=Aleksander |last=Boškovic |publisher=UEFA |date=24 May 2005 |access-date=23 May 2015}}

In September 2005, Žigić signed a one-year extension to his contract, which had been due to expire at the end of the season.{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/01ad-0e6d0a5a6ae6-5c763e3730f5-1000--zigic-staying-at-crvena-zvezda/ |title=Žigić staying at Crvena Zvezda |publisher=UEFA |date=20 September 2005 |access-date=23 May 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016180659/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=342800.html |archive-date=16 October 2015}} He helped his team progress through the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Cup, and according to Reuters' correspondent, "capped a brilliant individual performance with two goals" as well as providing the cross for Milan Purović as Red Star beat Roma 3–1 in the third match of the group stage. His first goal, a header, appeared to have been scored from an offside position, but for the second, in the 86th minute, he dispossessed Philippe Mexès, evaded two more opponents, and bent the ball into the top corner from {{convert|25|m|yd|abbr=on}} with his weaker left foot.{{cite news |url=http://www.b92.net/sport/fudbal/vesti.php?yyyy=2005&mm=12&dd=02&nav_id=181623 |title=Crvena zvezda silna protiv Rome! |language=sr |trans-title=Red Star too strong for Roma! |publisher=B92 |date=2 December 2005 |access-date=25 November 2015}} He said afterwards, "I've never scored a goal like that in my entire career. I was going to pass the ball but there was no one ahead of me so I just decided to go for it and see what happens". The win left Red Star needing to win their last group match to stand a chance of qualifying for the knockout rounds,{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=soccer&id=2244675 |title=Zigic has Red Star dreaming of European revival |first=Zoran |last=Milosavljevic |website=ESPN FC |agency=Reuters|date=2 December 2005 |access-date=24 May 2015}} but they failed to do so.{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=2005/standings/round=2209/group=2538/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120925120541/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=2005/standings/round=2209/group=2538/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 September 2012 |title=UEFA Europa League 2005/06 Standings: Group stage: Group E |publisher=UEFA |date=28 October 2015 |access-date=24 November 2015}}

For the second time in three years, Žigić was chosen as domestic player of the year in the captains' poll,{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/01b0-0f847dd006de-fc142ff5549a-1000--zigic-the-captain-s-choice/ |title=Žigić the captain's choice |publisher=UEFA |date=30 December 2005 |access-date=23 May 2015}} and was also honoured by the Red Star Sport Association as best male athlete of 2005, an award open to athletes representing the club in any sport, not just in football. After Pantelić's departure for Hertha BSC, Red Star's goals were spread more evenly among the remaining forward players. In the league, Žigić and Boško Janković were joint-top scorers with 12, and Purović contributed one fewer, as the club won their 24th title.{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesj/joeg06.html |title=Serbia and Montenegro 2005/06 |first=Dragoljub |last=Jovanović |date=15 August 2006 |website=RSSSF |access-date=23 May 2015}} They completed the double with a defeat of city rivals OFK in the cup final, coming back from 2–0 down via Žigić's 67th-minute free kick under the defensive wall and Purović's equaliser to take the match into extra time, during which Žigić gave Red Star the lead with a header and Dušan Basta made the final score 4–2.{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/01b5-0f8488d9ca0e-48177fa98f88-1000--cup-joy-for-crvena-zvezda/ |title=Cup joy for Crvena Zvezda |publisher=UEFA |date=10 May 2006 |access-date=23 May 2015}}
{{cite news |url=http://www.b92.net/sport/fudbal/vesti.php?yyyy=2006&mm=05&dd=11&nav_id=197315 |title=Zvezda preokretom do duple krune |language=sr |trans-title=Star turnaround to the double |publisher=B92 |date=11 May 2006 |access-date=24 May 2015}} After the match, Žigić refused to answer questions about his Red Star future.{{cite news |url=http://www.b92.net/sport/fudbal/vesti.php?yyyy=2006&mm=05&dd=11&nav_id=197329 |title=Zenga: 'Verovao sam i na 0:2' |language=sr |trans-title=Zenga: 'I believed at 2–0 down' |publisher=B92 |date=11 May 2006 |access-date=24 May 2015}}

Žigić began the season with Red Star, but on 29 August 2006, he signed a four-year contract with La Liga club Racing Santander. The fee, officially undisclosed,{{cite news |url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/01b8-0f848cfbde45-a0b824163165-1000--zigic-zooms-in-for-racing/ |title=Zigić zooms in for Racing |publisher=UEFA |date=30 August 2006 |access-date=29 May 2015}} was variously reported at anything from €4.5M to €7M.{{cite news|url=http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2006/08/30/mas_futbol/1156919245_850215.html |title=El serbio Nikola Zigic ya es jugador cántabro |language=es |trans-title=The Serbian Nikola Zigic is a Cantabrian player |first=J. |last=Del Olmo |newspaper=AS |location=Madrid |date=30 August 2006 |access-date=29 May 2015 }}
{{cite news|url=http://english.blic.rs/Sports/8611/Agents-make-entire-Red-Star-annual-budget-worth-of-fees |title=Agents make entire Red Star annual budget worth of fees |first=Branko |last=Markovic |newspaper=Blic |location=Belgrade |date=17 April 2012 |access-date=29 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529205824/http://english.blic.rs/Sports/8611/Agents-make-entire-Red-Star-annual-budget-worth-of-fees |archive-date=29 May 2015 |url-status=dead}}
{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD02/PUB/2006/10/22/EMD20061022030MDP.pdf |title=Zigic, un gigante en Montjuic |language=es |trans-title=Zigic, a giant at Montjuic |first=Rogelio |last=Román |newspaper=Mundo Deportivo |location=Barcelona |page=30 |date=22 October 2006 |access-date=29 May 2015}} Although better offers had been rejected, those offers had arrived at the wrong time: the pressure on Red Star to win the domestic title meant they were unlikely to dispose of a major player in mid-season.{{cite news |url=http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2006/09/12/mas_futbol/1158042432_850215.html |title=Zigic: 'Me han fichado para que marque goles' |language=es |trans-title=Zigic: 'They've signed me to score goals' |first=J. |last=Del Olmo |newspaper=AS |location=Madrid |date=12 September 2006 |access-date=29 May 2015}} The player felt he was more likely to start matches with a club at Racing's level.{{cite news |url=http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2006/09/15/mas_futbol/1158301627_850215.html |title=Zigic, el gigante de la Liga, debutará ante el Barça |language=es |trans-title=Zigic, the giant of la Liga, will make his debut against Barça |first=J. |last=Del Olmo |newspaper=AS |location=Madrid |date=15 September 2006 |access-date=29 May 2015}} Partnering the diminutive Pedro Munitis,{{cite news |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/420939/real-see-title-race-moving-in-their-favour |title=Real see title race moving in their favour |website=ESPN FC |date=12 April 2007 |access-date=19 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529204003/http://www.espnfc.com/story/420939/real-see-title-race-moving-in-their-favour |archive-date=29 May 2015 |url-status=dead}} he contributed 11 goals{{snd}}including a hat-trick in a 5–4 win over Athletic Bilbao{{cite news |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldFootballNews/idUKL0110042320070401 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012120555/http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldFootballNews/idUKL0110042320070401 |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 October 2007 |title=Soccer – Zigic hat-trick earns Racing 5–4 win over Bilbao |publisher=Reuters |date=1 April 2007 |access-date=1 February 2015}}{{snd}}four assists and five penalties won in league competition over the season as Racing finished tenth. The efficacy of the pair earned them the nickname of {{lang|es|Dúo Sacapuntos}} (the Two Point-getters{{efn-ua|The nickname is a play on the name of Spanish comedy act the Dúo Sacapuntas, which comprises one tall and one short partner.{{cite news |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/430296/el-racing-llega-a-lo-mas-alto |title=El Racing llega a lo más alto |language=es |trans-title=Racing reach the top |first=Lucy |last=Turner |website=ESPN FC |date=19 April 2007 |access-date=23 November 2015 |quote=La pareja Zigic-Pedro Munitis se ha convertido en el Dúo Sacapuntos, inspirado en el par de cómicos españoles, uno alto y uno bajo, el Dúo Sacapuntas [The Zigic–Pedro Munitis pairing has turned into the Dúo Sacapuntos, inspired by the Spanish comedy duo, one tall and one short, the Dúo Sacapuntas]. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124104510/http://www.espnfc.com/story/430296/el-racing-llega-a-lo-mas-alto |archive-date=24 November 2015 |url-status=dead}}}});{{cite news |url=http://www.mundodeportivo.com/20070622/la-parte-goleadora-del-duo-sacapuntos_52337005902.html |title=La parte goleadora del 'dúo sacapuntos' |language=es |trans-title=The goalscoring part of the 'two point-getters' |first=Rafa |last=Gallego |newspaper=Mundo Deportivo |location=Barcelona |date=22 June 2007 |access-date=29 May 2015}} ahead of the coming season, new coach Marcelino García Toral recalled how "we all know how many points Racing picked up when Žigić and Munitis weren't there. Without them, Racing didn't add points".{{cite news |url=http://www.mundodeportivo.com/20070628/marcelino-avisa-que-sin-zigic-todo-sera-mas-dificil_52337035114.html |title=Marcelino avisa que sin Zigic todo será más difícil |language=es |trans-title=Marcelino warns that without Zigic everything's going to be more difficult |first=Ernesto |last=Vicario |newspaper=Mundo Deportivo |location=Barcelona |date=28 June 2007 |access-date=29 May 2015 |quote=Todos sabemos los puntos que consiguió el Racing cuando no estaban Zigic ni Munitis. Sin ellos, el Racing no sumaba puntos |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529211518/http://www.mundodeportivo.com/20070628/marcelino-avisa-que-sin-zigic-todo-sera-mas-dificil_52337035114.html |archive-date=29 May 2015 |url-status=dead}} His performances earned him the captains' vote as best player based abroad for 2006, and contributed to his 2007 Football Association of Serbia Golden Ball award.

Žigić signed for Valencia in August 2007. The fee was unconfirmed, but suggestions appeared in the media of €15M,{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2007/SPORT/football/08/09/valencia.zigic.reut/ |title=Valencia sign giant striker Zigic |publisher=CNN |agency=Reuters |date=9 August 2007 |access-date=18 May 2015}} €18M,{{cite news |url=http://www.mundodeportivo.com/20070811/el-gigante-zigic-quiere-alcanzar-altas-cotas_53383885611.html |title=El 'gigante' Zigic quiere alcanzar altas cotas |language=es |trans-title=The 'giant' Zigic wants to reach new heights |first=Carlos |last=Urrutia |newspaper=Mundo Deportivo |location=Barcelona |date=10 August 2007 |access-date=29 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125105727/http://www.mundodeportivo.com/20070811/el-gigante-zigic-quiere-alcanzar-altas-cotas_53383885611.html |archive-date=25 November 2015 |url-status=dead}} and around €20M, a figure possibly including the player's wages over the five years of his contract.{{cite news |url=http://archivo.marca.com/edicion/marca/futbol/1a_division/valencia/es/desarrollo/1025048.html |title=El Valencia se hace con los servicios de Zigic por cinco temporadas |language=es |trans-title=Valencia acquires the services of Zigic for five seasons |newspaper=Marca |location=Madrid |date=9 August 2007 |access-date=18 May 2015}} He had been linked with numerous other moves,{{cite news |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11679/2649575/city-miss-out-on-zigic |title=City miss out on Zigic |first=Peter |last=O'Rourke |publisher=Sky Sports |date=9 August 2007 |access-date=18 May 2015}} and Fenerbahçe made an offer that was better financially for both Racing and the player, but Žigić preferred to stay in "the best league in Europe" in a country where he was accustomed to the language and culture.{{cite news |url=http://www.mundodeportivo.com/20070810/zigic-fichaje-gigante-de-un-valencia-de-lujo_53383685539.html |title=Zigic, fichaje gigante de un Valencia de lujo |language=es |trans-title=Zigic, giant signing for a Valencia in the luxury market |first1=Carlos |last1=Urrutia |first2=Ernesto |last2=Vicario |newspaper=Mundo Deportivo |location=Barcelona |date=10 August 2007 |access-date=29 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530003237/http://www.mundodeportivo.com/20070810/zigic-fichaje-gigante-de-un-valencia-de-lujo_53383685539.html |archive-date=30 May 2015 |url-status=dead}} He was suffering from an ankle injury when he arrived{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0254-0d7bb01d14f4-1c0b919f4e4d-1000--serbia-s-zigic-to-miss-brussels-trip/ |title=Serbia's Žigić to miss Brussels trip |first=Aleksandar |last=Bošković |publisher=UEFA |date=20 August 2007 |access-date=18 May 2015}}{{snd}}which delayed his integration into the first-team group and, according to Mundo Deportivo, undermined the coaching staff's confidence in him{{cite news |url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/2007/12/24/pagina-31/1494069/pdf.html#&mode=fullScreen |title=Zigic saca del pozo al equipo 'che' |language=es |trans-title=Zigic gets the 'che' team out of a hole |first=Carlos |last=Urrutia |newspaper=Mundo Deportivo |location=Barcelona |page=31 |date=24 December 2007 |access-date=18 January 2018}}{{snd}}then aggravated the injury by playing in a Euro 2008 qualifier in September,{{cite news |url=http://www.lasprovincias.es/valencia/prensa/20070930/deportes/zigic-cuando-seleccion-serbia_20070930.html |title=Zigic: 'Cuando fui con la selección de Serbia no estaba recuperado al cien por cien de mi lesión' |language=es |trans-title=Zigic: 'When I was away with Serbia I wasn't 100% recovered from my injury' |first=A. |last=Andreo |newspaper=Las Provincias |location=Valencia |date=30 September 2007 |access-date=18 May 2015}} and did not appear for Valencia until October.

File:Nikola Zigic.jpgHe made his debut as a second-half substitute in Valencia's Champions League group-stage defeat at home to Chelsea, and started the next league match, another home defeat against Espanyol, but was selected only infrequently either by Quique Flores, who had signed him, or by successor Ronald Koeman. With the transfer window approaching, Koeman had given Žigić two weeks to convince him he was worth keeping.{{cite news |url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/2007/12/20/pagina-10/914858/pdf.html#&mode=fullScreen |title='Vacas' sacrificadas |language=es |trans-title='Cows' sacrificed |first=Carlos |last=Urrutia |newspaper=Mundo Deportivo |location=Barcelona |page=10 |date=20 December 2007 |access-date=18 January 2018}} Prior to the Copa del Rey on 19 December, Valencia had not scored for six matches,{{cite web |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/t/t2007-0836.html |title=Valencia 2007–08: Matches |website=BDFutbol |access-date=23 November 2015}} For match results, click on Matches tab. and they were soon 1–0 down to third-tier opponents Real Unión. Žigić came on and scored twice to turn the match around,{{cite news |url=http://www.elperiodicodearagon.com/noticias/deportes/zigic-remonta-evita-otra-catastrofe-valencia_373666.html |title=Zigic remonta y evita otra catástrofe del Valencia |language=es |trans-title=Zigic back and prevents another Valencia catastrophe |newspaper=El Periódico de Aragón |location=Zaragoza |date=20 December 2007 |access-date=24 November 2015}} and followed up with another goal three days later as Valencia came from behind to secure a 2–2 draw at Real Zaragoza. A mooted loan to English club Portsmouth fell through when Koeman changed his mind about the player leaving,{{cite news |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11674/3012219/valencia-keen-on-zigic-stay |title=Valencia keen on Zigic stay |first=Paco |last=Acedo |publisher=Sky Sports |date=30 December 2007 |access-date=1 February 2015}} but he made only nine league appearances (two starts) in what remained of the season, and was sent off in the first of those.

Speculation regarding moves to the Premier League{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/7519540.stm |title=O'Neill denies interest in Zigic |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 July 2008 |access-date=1 February 2015}}
{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/blackburn_rovers/7570584.stm |title=Blackburn weigh up double swoop |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 August 2008 |access-date=1 February 2015}}
{{cite news |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Breaking-news-Stoke-close-loan-deal-striker-Zigic/story-12527324-detail/story.html |title=Stoke close to loan deal for striker Zigic |newspaper=The Sentinel |location=Stoke-on-Trent |date=8 August 2008 |access-date=18 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924111400/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Breaking-news-Stoke-close-loan-deal-striker-Zigic/story-12527324-detail/story.html |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=dead}} came to nothing. By October, Žigić had appeared just once for Valencia, in the UEFA Cup, and an opportunity arose to join his former club, Racing Santander, on an emergency loan. This depended on the league allowing Racing to release Luis Fernández on medical grounds, because of a degenerative condition of his knee, thus freeing up a space in the first-team squad. The LFP's medical committee decided that the condition was not yet clearly career-ending, so any agreement with Žigić had to be held over until the January 2009 transfer window.{{cite news |url=http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2008/10/10/mas_futbol/1223620037_850215.html |title=La LFP no dará la baja médica a Luis Fernández |language=es |trans-title=The LFP won't give Luis Fernández a medical release |first=Alfredo |last=Matilla |newspaper=AS |location=Madrid |date=10 October 2008 |access-date=18 May 2015}} In the meantime, he played in four more cup matches for Valencia, two domestic and two UEFA, and scored in three of them, but took no part in the league campaign.

The loan agreement was duly revived, and Žigić returned to the club and the city that "feel like home".{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/01d4-0f85c2aae682-35532eee6b50-1000--zigic-heads-back-to-racing-on-loan/ |title=Žigić heads back to Racing on loan |publisher=UEFA |date=30 December 2008 |access-date=18 May 2015}} Racing were to pay his wages and write off the debt outstanding from the sale of Mario Regueiro, and there was no option to purchase.{{cite news |url=http://www.eldiariomontanes.es/20081226/deportes/racing/nicola-zigic-cayo-20081226.html |title=Nicola Zigic cayó en la red |language=es |trans-title=Nicola Zigic dropped into the net |first=A. |last=Santamaría |newspaper=El Diario Montañés |location=Santander |date=26 December 2008 |access-date=18 May 2015}} Resuming his partnership with Munitis in the first game of his second spell, Žigić scored the only goal of the visit to Real Valladolid, repeated the feat at Getafe two weeks later, and scored again in the next match, a 2–0 win away at Sevilla. He finished the season as Racing's top scorer, with 13 goals from only 19 games.{{cite web |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/t/t2008-0929.html |title=Racing de Santander: 2008–09: Squad |website=BDFutbol |access-date=19 May 2015}}

In the 2009 close season, there were rumours linking Žigić with moves to clubs including Sunderland,{{cite news |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sunderland-boosted-bid-land-huddlestone-1456340 |title=Sunderland boosted in bid to land Huddlestone |first=Steve |last=Brown |newspaper=Evening Chronicle |location=Newcastle |date=25 June 2009 |access-date=22 February 2018}} Monaco,{{cite news |url=http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2009/06/16/mas_futbol/1245103209_850215.html |title=Al Mónaco le interesa el serbio Zigic |language=es |trans-title=The Serbian Zigic is interesting Monaco |newspaper=AS |location=Madrid |date=16 June 2009 |access-date=19 May 2015}} and Bordeaux,{{cite news |url=http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2009/08/08/mas_futbol/1249682406_850215.html |title=Vicente y Zigic, en la agenda de PSG y Girondins |language=es |trans-title=Vicente and Zigic, on the agenda of PSG and Girondins |newspaper=AS |location=Madrid |date=8 August 2009 |access-date=19 May 2015}} but the player insisted his intention was and always had been to be successful with Valencia.{{cite news |url=http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2009/07/16/mas_futbol/1247725659_850215.html |title='Mi objetivo es el de siempre: triunfar y ganar títulos aquí' |language=es |trans-title=My goal is what it always has been: to succeed and win titles here |newspaper=AS |location=Madrid |date=16 July 2009 |access-date=19 May 2015}} He made 26 appearances for the club in 2009–10 in all competitions, more than in the previous two seasons combined, but only 5 were league starts.{{cite web |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/j/j2085.html |title=Zigic: Nikola Zigic |website=BDFutbol |access-date=19 May 2015}} Within four minutes of replacing the injured David Villa in the league match against Racing in October, he took advantage of a defensive error to score the only goal of the game; out of respect for his former club, he did not celebrate.{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-10-05/zigic-haunts-racing-valencia-triumph/1090620 |title=Zigic haunts Racing, Valencia triumph |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) |agency=Agence France-Presse (AFP) |date=5 October 2009 |access-date=19 May 2015}} On 2 January 2010, his 93rd-minute header against Espanyol took Valencia third in the table,{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=soccer&id=4790430 |title=Late Zigic header gives Valencia win over Espanyol |first=Iain |last=Rogers |publisher=ESPN |agency=Reuters |date=2 January 2010 |access-date=19 May 2015}} and his double against Deportivo La Coruña in the 2009–10 Copa del Rey put Valencia 2–0 up at half-time; the game finished 2–2 and Valencia lost 4–3 on aggregate.{{cite news |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/5858145/copa-del-rey-round-up |title=Copa del Rey round-up |publisher=Sky Sports |date=13 January 2010 |access-date=19 May 2015}} With four minutes left of the Europa League quarter-final second leg, Valencia were denied a penalty when an Atlético Madrid defender pulled Žigić to the ground so forcefully that a large hole was torn in the front of his shirt, apparently unnoticed by referee or goalline official; the tie ended goalless, so Atlético progressed on away goals from the first leg and went on to win the competition.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8610597.stm |title=Hamburg and Atletico Madrid reach Europa League semis |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 April 2010 |access-date=23 May 2015}}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8675486.stm |title=Atletico Madrid 2–1 Fulham |first=Phil |last=McNulty |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 May 2010 |access-date=23 May 2015}} Away to Espanyol on 1 May, again as a substitute for Villa, he scored both goals in a 2–0 win that secured Valencia a place in the next season's Champions League.{{cite news |url=http://en.valenciacf.com/ver/18810/zigic-at-the-double.html |title=Zigic at the double |publisher=Valencia Club de Fútbol |date=1 May 2010 |access-date=19 May 2015 |archive-date=8 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208182303/http://en.valenciacf.com/ver/18810/zigic-at-the-double.html |url-status=dead }}

On 25 May 2010, Žigić signed a four-year contract with Premier League club Birmingham City for an undisclosed fee, which media speculation suggested to be in the region of £6 million.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/birmingham_city/8704954.stm |title=Birmingham seal signing of giant striker Nikola Zigic |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 May 2010 |access-date=23 November 2015}}
{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/birmingham-city/7767990/Nikola-Zigic-completes-6m-move-to-Birmingham-City-from-Valencia.html |title=Nikola Zigic completes £6m move to Birmingham City from Valencia |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=26 May 2010 |access-date=1 February 2015}} He made his debut on the opening day of the season away at Sunderland: replacing Garry O'Connor in the 58th minute, he came close to scoring from outside the penalty area and "injected a note of panic hitherto undetected" in the home team's defence as Birmingham came back from 2–0 down to secure a draw.{{cite news |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/215215/report |title=Blues fight back for draw |publisher=Sky Sports |date=14 August 2010 |access-date=13 September 2010}}
{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/bent-marks-card-for-cattermole-after-captains-loss-of-discipline-2053499.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220621/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/bent-marks-card-for-cattermole-after-captains-loss-of-discipline-2053499.html |archive-date=21 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Bent marks card for Cattermole after captain's loss of discipline |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |first=Les |last=Ward |date=16 August 2010 |access-date=13 September 2010}} Žigić's first goal for the club came as Birmingham beat Milton Keynes Dons 3–1 in the League Cup on 21 September. He scored his first Premier League goal on 16 October, opening the scoring at Arsenal with a header from Keith Fahey's cross, but Birmingham lost the game 2–1.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9085759.stm |title=Arsenal 2–1 Birmingham |first=Sam |last=Sheringham |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 October 2010 |access-date=16 October 2010}}

File:Nikola Žigić Arsenal vs Birmingham.jpgIn a hostile League Cup quarter-final against local rivals Aston Villa, Žigić had an apparently valid goal disallowed for offside against another player, and with the scores level after 86 minutes, was about to be substituted when he produced a "mis-hit, deflected, scruffy late goal" that secured the win.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/league-cup/8170677/Birmingham-City-2-Aston-Villa-1-match-report.html |title=Birmingham City 2 Aston Villa 1: match report |first=Jason |last=Burt |newspaper=Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=2 December 2010 |access-date=24 May 2015}} He opened the scoring against favourites Arsenal in the final with a short-range header, and with one minute of normal time remaining, he flicked on a long clearance, Arsenal's goalkeeper and central defender got in each other's way, and the ball fell to Obafemi Martins to tap in the winning goal.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/9405702.stm |title=Arsenal 1–2 Birmingham |first=Philip |last=McNulty |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 February 2011 |access-date=28 February 2011}} Football manager turned commentator David Pleat wrote that "Birmingham earned their victory through terrific teamwork and astute deployment of Žigić's strengths."{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/feb/27/arsenal-birmingham-city-david-pleat |title=Arsenal laid low by Birmingham City's astute use of Nikola Zigic |first=David |last=Pleat |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=27 February 2011 |access-date=24 May 2015}} Because of "niggling" hip and groin injuries, he made only two more substitute appearances. His absence deprived the team of what the Birmingham Mail's reporter called their "most effective style: getting the ball forward early, pressing up the pitch and playing off him", as they were relegated to the Championship.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/colin-tattum-reviews-birmingham-citys-155093 |title=Colin Tattum reviews Birmingham City's season and asks: How did it go so wrong? |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |first=Colin |last=Tattum |date=26 May 2011 |access-date=1 February 2015}}

Despite his agent Milan Ćalasan's insistence that his client would not be playing in the lower divisions,{{cite news|url=http://english.blic.rs/Sports/7871/Mancini-plans-sale-of-Adebayor-to-make-room-for-Zigic |title=Mancini plans sale of Adebayor to make room for Zigic |first=Branko |last=Marković |newspaper=Blic |location=Belgrade |date=27 July 2011 |access-date=24 May 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525144727/http://english.blic.rs/Sports/7871/Mancini-plans-sale-of-Adebayor-to-make-room-for-Zigic |archive-date=25 May 2015 }} Žigić underwent groin surgery in the close season and resumed his Birmingham career in September. He told the Mail that he would be happy to stay and that any move would depend on the club, which was in increasing financial difficulty, wanting to sell.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-exclusive-nikola-zigic-162456 |title=Nikola Zigic is NOT plotting St Andrew's exit |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=1 October 2011 |access-date=1 February 2015}} His first Championship goal gave Birmingham a 1–0 win against Leeds United. Early in the Europa League group match at Braga, Birmingham were awarded a penalty. In the absence of regular penalty-taker Marlon King, Žigić took on the responsibility. His attempt was saved, Braga won the match 1–0,{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/news/local-news/birmingham-city-striker-zigic-sorry-3915659 |title=Birmingham City striker Zigic sorry for Europa League penalty miss |newspaper=Birmingham Post |date=2 December 2011 |access-date=25 May 2015}} and Birmingham finished the group one point behind them and Club Brugge so failed to qualify for the knockout rounds.{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=2012/standings/round=2000272/group=2001552/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923183708/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=2012/standings/round=2000272/group=2001552/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 September 2011 |title=UEFA Europa League: Standings: Group stage: Group H |publisher=UEFA |access-date=16 December 2011}} Away to Leeds, Žigić scored all four in a 4–1 win, and he finished the season with eleven in the league and one in the play-off semi-final as Birmingham lost on aggregate to Blackpool.

Ahead of the 2012–13 season, Žigić was close to a return to Spain with Real Mallorca. Birmingham were prepared to give him a free transfer to reduce the wage bill by his reported £50,000 a week, but the deal fell through when board and agent could not agree a payoff for the player,{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-lee-clark-happy-3608 |title=Lee Clark happy to hang on to Nikola Zigic |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=10 September 2012 |access-date=24 May 2015}} who earlier in the summer had expressed his intention to see out the two years left on his contract.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-i-want-to-stay-at-blues-230921 |title=I want to stay at Blues – Nikola Zigic |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=10 June 2012 |access-date=24 May 2015}} He began the playing season on the bench, coming off it after 85 minutes to produce a 94th-minute equaliser at home to Charlton Athletic on the opening day,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19221628 |title=Birmingham 1–1 Charlton |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 August 2012 |access-date=14 September 2012}} and was used more as substitute than starter by new manager Lee Clark, who preferred Peter Løvenkrands or Leroy Lita.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-lee-clark-and-nikola-298372 |title=Lee Clark and Nikola Zigic following the same plan |first1=Colin |last1=Tattum |first2=Paul |last2=Bradley |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=10 November 2012 |access-date=24 May 2015}} On the eve of the January transfer window, chief executive Peter Pannu confirmed that player sales were necessary to stave off the risk of administration. Even if the club could raise as much as £6M from the sale of England goalkeeper Jack Butland, Žigić's wages were more than the club could afford, and the player needed "to go out and showcase himself."{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/peter-pannu-interview-part-one-389303 |title=Peter Pannu: 'My top priority now – and if I do offend anyone, I care not – is to make sure this club stays afloat.' |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=28 December 2012 |access-date=25 May 2015}} The club had failed to include a clause in his contract to reduce his wages in the event of relegation,{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/birmingham-city/9768863/Birmingham-City-may-be-forced-to-cash-in-on-goalkeeper-Jack-Butland-to-avoid-administration.html |title=Birmingham City may be forced to cash in on goalkeeper Jack Butland to avoid administration |first=John |last=Percy |newspaper=Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=28 December 2012 |access-date=5 May 2015}} and it emerged later that they had agreed to substantial annual increments.{{cite news |url=http://www.espnfc.co.uk/story/1485884/birmingham-must-pay-zigic-4-million-next-year |title=Blues 'must pay Zigic £4m next year' |first=Richard |last=Jolly |website=ESPN FC |date=27 June 2013 |access-date=5 May 2015}}

He did not leave, and in February, Clark publicly criticised him for producing "possibly the worst training session in terms of a professional footballer I have ever come across", despite knowing he was due to start the upcoming game against Watford.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/feb/15/nikola-zigic-dropped-birmingham-training |title=Nikola Zigic dropped by Birmingham after 'worst training session ever' |website=The Guardian |location=London |agency=Press Association |date=15 February 2013 |access-date=15 February 2013}} Up until this incident, he had scored six league goals at a rate of one every 165 minutes, and been sent off twice.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130420150659/http://uk.soccerway.com/players/nikola-zigic/770/ |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/nikola-zigic/770/ |title=N. Žigić |work=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |date=15 February 2013 |archive-date=20 April 2013 |url-status=dead}} Clark said that Žigić would not be involved against Watford, but that it was "in his hands" as to whether he would prepare properly for the Sheffield Wednesday fixture three days later.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/birmingham-city-boss-says-down-1322727 |title=Lee Clark: 'It's in his hands and that's the way it has got to be' |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=16 February 2013 |access-date=24 May 2015}} His response must have been acceptable, because he played the whole of the goalless draw against Wednesday, started all the remaining matches – the longest run of starts of his Birmingham career{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/interview-birmingham-city-boss-lee-4005005 |title=Lee Clark: 'Nikola Zigic is really happy in the area, he loves the football club.' |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=23 May 2013 |access-date=25 May 2015}} – and ended the season with nine league goals, second only to King.{{cite web |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=291&season_id=142&teamTabs=stats |title=Birmingham Squad details 2012/13 |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=25 May 2015}}

Žigić missed the first few weeks of the 2013–14 season with a back problem,{{cite news |url=http://www.teamtalk.com/match/preview/978/8950169/Sky-Bet-Championship-Birmingham-v-Millwall-team-news |title=Birmingham v Millwall preview |website=TeamTalk |date=30 September 2013 |access-date=26 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527002526/http://www.teamtalk.com/match/preview/978/8950169/Sky-Bet-Championship-Birmingham-v-Millwall-team-news |archive-date=27 May 2015}} and once fit, played regularly throughout the season, as one of a small number of senior players in an inexperienced and youthful team with numerous short-term loanees.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-comment-piece-colin-6913355 |title=This summer will be a tough summer of change for Blues |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=3 April 2014 |access-date=25 May 2015}} The team struggled, and reached the last day of the season needing at least a draw away at Bolton Wanderers and for other results to favour them to avoid relegation to League One. Two goals down with 12 minutes left, Žigić scored, and three minutes into stoppage time, his close-range header was cleared off the line to Paul Caddis, who headed home to preserve Birmingham's second-tier status.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27167525 |title=Bolton 2–2 Birmingham |publisher=BBC Sport |date=3 May 2014 |access-date=4 May 2014}} Birmingham were reported to be "quietly confident" of retaining his services for another season, at a much reduced salary, especially as he was believed to be keen on applying for British citizenship, which required five years' residence, but he left at the end of his contract. He was the last remaining member of the League Cup-winning team.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-hopeful-nikola-zigic-7137641 |title=Birmingham City hopeful Nikola Zigic will sign new deal |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=19 May 2014 |access-date=25 May 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/20140701-farewell-to-ziggy-and-burke-1708957.aspx |title=Farewell to Ziggy and Burke |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=1 July 2014 |access-date=1 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714232607/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/20140701-farewell-to-ziggy-and-burke-1708957.aspx |archive-date=14 July 2014}}

Having been without a club since his departure, Žigić began training with Birmingham again in November 2014.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30097800 |title=Nikola Zigic: Former Birmingham City striker training with club |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 November 2014 |access-date=18 November 2014}} After a successful appeal to be granted a work permit, for which he did not qualify automatically, he signed a contract on 4 December to expire at the end of the season.{{cite news |title=Nikola Zigic: Birmingham City re-sign Serbia striker |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30145650 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 December 2014 |access-date=4 December 2014}} He made his second debut as a late substitute in the Championship match at home to Reading on 13 December, with Birmingham already 6–1 ahead.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30356696 |title=Birmingham 6–1 Reading |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 December 2014 |access-date=14 December 2014}} He played only infrequently – nine substitute appearances in the league and two FA Cup matches – and the club confirmed he would be released when his contract expired.{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/birmingham-city-2441045.aspx |title=Blues announce squad departures |first=Colin |last=Tattum |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=5 May 2015 |access-date=5 May 2015 |archive-date=19 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519000106/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/birmingham-city-2441045.aspx |url-status=dead }}

Coach Ilija Petković gave Žigić his international debut for Serbia and Montenegro on 31 March 2004, as an 84th-minute substitute in a 1–0 friendly defeat against Norway in Belgrade.{{cite web |url=http://www.reprezentacija.rs/index.php/sr/orlovi/121 |title=Srbija i Crna Gora 0–1 (0––0) Norveška |language=sr |trans-title=Serbia and Montenegro 0–1 (0–0) Norway |website=reprezentacija.rs |access-date=2 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126073114/http://www.reprezentacija.rs/index.php/sr/orlovi/121 |archive-date=26 November 2015}} His next appearance and first start came some 14 months later; in a friendly against Italy in Canada, he ran onto a through ball and went round the goalkeeper to open the scoring and also hit the post in a 1–1 draw.{{cite news |url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20050610/sport/lucarelli-goal-earns-italy-draw-with-serbia.87588 |title=Lucarelli goal earns Italy draw with Serbia |newspaper=Times of Malta |agency=Reuters |date=10 June 2005 |access-date=2 June 2015}}

He also scored in his next match, against Poland in another friendly, and established himself as a regular selection, but it was his substitute appearance in a crucial World Cup qualifier against Spain in Madrid in September 2005 that brought him wider international recognition. After a poor first-half – Petković said they "were lucky to be only a goal down at half-time"{{cite news |url=http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2005/09/09/petkovic-confident-after-draw |title=Petkovic confident after draw |website=The World Game |publisher=Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) |agency=Reuters |date=9 September 2005 |access-date=2 June 2015}} – Žigić was introduced, and the tactic of "putting him in the centre of the opposition defence and playing long high balls to him ... was remarkably successful".{{cite news |url=http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2005/09/08/arogones-optimistic-despite-draw |title=Aragones optimistic despite draw |website=The World Game |publisher=SBS |agency=PA Sport |date=8 September 2005 |access-date=2 June 2015}} He pressured the goalkeeper into missing a cross which dropped for Dejan Stanković to set up Mateja Kežman's equaliser, and 12 minutes later, his pass left Kežman clear on goal but he mis-hit what might have been a winning shot.{{cite news |url=http://sports.ndtv.com/football/news/17593-world-cup-qualifier-spain-draws-with-serbia-montenegro |title=World Cup qualifier: Spain draws with Serbia-Montenegro |publisher=NDTV |agency=Associated Press |date=8 September 2005 |access-date=2 June 2015}} The result left Serbia-Montenegro top of the group, and they confirmed their qualification at home to Bosnia and Herzegovina when Žigić's assist gave Kežman a tap-in for the only goal of the game.{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/news/01ae-0f847b022167-162d9d252154-1000--kezman-the-king-of-belgrade/ |title=Kežman the king of Belgrade |publisher=UEFA |date=12 October 2005 |access-date=2 June 2015}}

Žigić's only start at the 2006 World Cup came in the last fixture, when his team had already been eliminated after losing the first two group matches. He scored early in the first half off a long ball from Stanković against Ivory Coast – the goal was Serbia-Montenegro's first of the tournament – but the match ended in a 3–2 defeat.{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/germany2006/teams/team=1890244/statistics.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411040720/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/germany2006/teams/team=1890244/statistics.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 April 2016 |title=2006 FIFA World Cup Germany: Serbia and Montenegro: Statistics |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) |access-date=17 September 2017}}
{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=428786.html |title=Ivorian comeback shocks Serbians |publisher=UEFA |date=21 June 2006 |access-date=17 September 2017}}

Still an automatic choice under new national manager Javier Clemente, Žigić scored the only goal in Serbia's first competitive match as a separate country, a Euro 2008 qualifier at home to Azerbaijan in September 2006.{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0254-0d7b9a1a6c98-e5ce24ef460c-1000--zigic-sets-serbia-off-and-running/ |title=Žigić sets Serbia off and running |publisher=UEFA |date=2 September 2006 |access-date=2 June 2015}} He scored once, missed two more good chances and was then sent off for elbowing an opponent in stoppage time of the March 2007 qualifying defeat in Kazakhstan,{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/mar/25/newsstory.sport1 |title=Zhumaskaliyev stuns Serbia for make benefit glorious nation of Kazakhstan |first=James |last=Stirling |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=25 March 2007 |access-date=2 June 2015}} so missed the next, a home draw with Portugal,{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0254-0d7ba0cb8274-3b3575dffcd0-1000--clemente-pleads-for-clemency/ |title=Clemente pleads for clemency |first=Aleksandar |last=Bošković |publisher=UEFA |date=27 March 2007 |access-date=2 June 2015}} and also missed the Finland fixture in June after surgery on a facial injury.{{cite news |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldFootballNews/idUKB42071520070528 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012120551/http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldFootballNews/idUKB42071520070528 |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 October 2007 |title=Serbia's Žigić to miss Euro 2008 qualifier in Finland |work=Reuters |date=28 May 2007 |access-date=1 June 2015}} He still scored seven goals as Serbia failed to qualify.{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/teams/147--serbia/ |title=Serbia UEFA Euro 2008 Matches |publisher=UEFA |date=10 February 2014 |access-date=2 June 2015}}

Žigić played regularly through the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign under the management of Radomir Antić, contributing three goals and partnering former Red Star teammate Marko Pantelić as Serbia qualified for a major tournament for the first time as an independent nation.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/group-d-australia-germany-ghana-serbia-1993981.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220621/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/group-d-australia-germany-ghana-serbia-1993981.html |archive-date=21 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Group D: Australia, Germany, Ghana, Serbia |first=Mark |last=Fleming |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=8 June 2010 |access-date=2 June 2015}} Ahead of the tournament proper, he spoke in positive terms of his development since 2006: "I went to Germany as player with no reputation or real experience to speak of. Tactically, I have learned a lot and I'm in much better condition, both physically and psychologically. This is my World Cup, I think I can play a lead role and I want to show I'm a player that can do it in big games."{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2010/m=6/news=zigic-can-big-games-1223460.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712003251/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2010/m=6/news=zigic-can-big-games-1223460.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 July 2015 |title=Zigic: I can do it in big games |publisher=FIFA |date=3 June 2010 |access-date=4 June 2015}} After losing to Ghana in the opening group match, Serbia went on to face Germany. Within two minutes of Miroslav Klose's first-half dismissal, Žigić headed a cross down to Milan Jovanović who scored what proved to be the only goal of the game; Lukas Podolski's second-half penalty was saved, and Antić dedicated the victory to the Serbian people.{{cite news|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2010/m=6/news=antic-dedicates-victory-serbian-people-1249562.html |title=Antic dedicates victory to Serbian people |publisher=FIFA |agency=PA |date=18 June 2010 |access-date=4 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712003147/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y%3D2010/m%3D6/news%3Dantic-dedicates-victory-serbian-people-1249562.html |archive-date=12 July 2015 |url-status=dead }} In a game of missed chances against Australia, Serbia lost 2–1 and finished bottom of the group.{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=249722/match=300061467/match-report.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519122930/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=249722/match=300061467/match-report.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 May 2015 |title=Australia win but come up short |publisher=FIFA |date=23 June 2010 |access-date=4 June 2015}}

Goals in four of Serbia's five internationals in the latter part of 2010 brought his total to 20. He was not selected to start the other match, a Euro 2012 qualifier in Italy that was abandoned after six minutes because of crowd trouble; UEFA awarded the match to the hosts as a 3–0 win.{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/match/2002166--italy-vs-serbia/ |title=Italy-Serbia match abandoned due to crowd trouble |publisher=UEFA |date=13 February 2013 |access-date=5 June 2015}} After Serbia failed to qualify for the tournament, both Stanković and Nemanja Vidić retired from international football, and Žigić was appointed captain of the national team.{{cite news |url=http://www.novosti.rs/vesti/sport.294.html:352567-Zigic-Cast-mi-je-da-budem-kapiten |title=Žigić: Čast mi je da budem kapiten |language=sr |trans-title=Žigić: I'm honoured to be captain |last=S.I. |newspaper=Večernje novosti |location=Belgrade |date=8 November 2011 |access-date=5 June 2015}} He captained the team in friendly defeats to Mexico and Honduras in 2011, his 56th and 57th appearances for his country, which proved to be his last.

Žigić's extreme height predisposes him to an aerial game. He is dangerous from set pieces, scoring many headed goals and knocking the ball down for others: when he joined Red Star, the coach set out the team in a 4–3–3 formation, with Žigić at centre-forward and two wingers to feed those strengths. He tried to use his physical presence to disrupt opposing defences, both for his own benefit and to draw their attentions away from others. Pep Guardiola said in 2009 that Žigić was not easy to defend against, "almost unstoppable" in the air, but the best way would be to keep him as far as possible away from the penalty area. Speaking in 2010, Radovan Ćurčić, then assistant manager of the Serbia national team, described him as "the king of air play, he is the finest there is in Europe. He possesses the sense of space and movement without the ball and can assist his teammates with headers and set up goal-scoring opportunities."{{cite news |url=http://english.blic.rs/Sports/6302/Curcic-Krasic-Jovanovic-Zigic-on-par-with-Ronaldo-Drogba/print |title=Curcic: Krasic, Jovanovic, Zigic on par with Ronaldo, Drogba |first=B. |last=Markovic |newspaper=Blic |location=Belgrade |date=15 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125053017/http://english.blic.rs/Sports/6302/Curcic-Krasic-Jovanovic-Zigic-on-par-with-Ronaldo-Drogba/print |archive-date=25 November 2015}} Sid Lowe of The Guardian also described him as a "tidy finisher" in 2007.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/mar/19/europeanfootball.sport1 |title=Little and Large deliver the perfect punch-line for Racing |work=The Guardian |last1=Lowe |first1=Sid |date=19 March 2007 |access-date=3 January 2024 }}

As exemplified on his debut for Racing, a performance in which he demonstrated his aerial power, he is capable of playing with his back to goal, and his height was not incompatible with agility.{{cite news |url=http://www.mundodeportivo.com/20090201/zigic-un-reto-defensivo-talla-xxl_53630705507.html |title=Zigic, un reto defensivo talla XXL |language=es |trans-title=Zigic, a defensive challenge size XXL |first1=Conchita |last1=Roura |first2=Sergi |last2=Solé |newspaper=Mundo Deportivo |location=Barcelona |date=1 February 2009 |access-date=31 May 2015}} He prefers to play not as a lone striker but in partnership with a shorter, speedier, teammate. Racing's fitness coach, Javier Miñano, was surprised that Žigić was "well coordinated, to the extent that he doesn't seem so tall when I see him in training."{{cite news |url=http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2007/04/03/mas_futbol/1175581630_850215.html |title=Zigic, el gigante de moda que quiere media Europa |language=es |trans-title=Zigic, the fashionable giant wanted by half of Europe |first=Ladislao J. |last=Moñino |newspaper=AS |location=Madrid |date=3 April 2007 |access-date=31 May 2015 |quote=Está muy coordinado, hasta el punto de que no me parece tan alto cuando lo veo en los entrenamientos. He trabajado con jugadores de estatura elevada, pero más bajos que él, como Carew y Anelka, y me daban la sensación de ser más grandes", comentaba con sorpresa el preparador físico del Racing Javier Miñano cuando le vio entrenarse.}}

He prefers to receive the ball in the air, because he can always beat smaller players in the air but they can take advantage of better acceleration and quicker reactions on the ground.{{cite news |url=http://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/germany-a-tall-order-for-serbs-giant-striker-zigic |title=Germany a tall order for Serbs' giant striker Zigic |first=Andy |last=Mitten |newspaper=The National |location=Abu Dhabi |date=18 June 2010 |access-date=1 June 2015}} According to David Pleat, a major factor in Birmingham's 2011 League Cup win was "telling him to do what he does best and flick the ball on with his head from direct diagonal balls played from both wings". Nevertheless, he is technically competent, scoring goals with his feet and providing assists for others. A 2009 feature in Mundo Deportivo assessed Žigić as one of those few tall players with a good touch on the ball,{{cite news |url=http://www.mundodeportivo.com/20090201/gigante-zigic_53630708959.html |title=Gigante Zigic |language=es |trans-title=Giant Zigic |first=Santi |last=Nolla |newspaper=Mundo Deportivo |location=Barcelona |date=1 February 2009 |access-date=31 May 2015}} and in 2010, German international defender Per Mertesacker described him as "technically a good player and very smart tactically".{{cite web |url=http://m.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2010/m=6/news=mertesacker-braced-for-tall-task-1248265.html |title=Mertesacker braced for tall task |publisher=FIFA |date=17 June 2010 |access-date=2 June 2015}}{{dead link|date=October 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

{{notelist}}

Red Star

• First League of Serbia and Montenegro: 2003–04, 2005–06
• Serbia and Montenegro Cup: 2003–04, 2005–06

Valencia

• Copa del Rey: 2007–08

Birmingham City

• Football League Cup: 2010–11

Individual

• Serbia and Montenegro League: top scorer 2003–04{{cite web |url=http://www.yufprvaliga.co.yu/takmicen/listas.htm |title=Lista strelaca posle 30. kola |language=sr |trans-title=Top scorers after 30 rounds |publisher=Zajednica fudbalskih klubova prve savezne lige (Union of First Federal League Clubs) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040612183841/http://www.yufprvaliga.co.yu/takmicen/listas.htm |archive-date=12 June 2004}}
• Serbian Footballer of the Year:{{cite news |url=http://mondo.rs/a754782/Sport/Fudbal/Nemanja-Matic-najbolji-igrac-Radovan-Curcic-najbolji-trener.html |title=Matić, Ćurčić i Mažić – najbolje u srpskom fudbalu |language=sr |trans-title=Matić, Ćurčić and Mažić – the best in Serbian football |website=Mondo.rs |date=18 December 2014 |access-date=3 June 2015}} 2003, 2007
• Večernje novosti captains' poll{{cite news |url=http://www.novosti.rs/vesti/sport.294.html:469491-Tradicionalna-anketa-Novosti-Kapiteni-biraju-fudbalera-godine |title=Tradicionalna anketa 'Novosti': Kapiteni biraju fudbalera godine |language=sr |trans-title="Novosti"'s traditional poll: Footballer of the year voted for by the captains |first=V. |last=Tomković |newspaper=Večernje novosti |location=Belgrade |date=20 December 2013 |access-date=23 May 2015}}
• Domestic player of the year: 2003, 2005
• Prva zvezda (Player of the year based abroad): 2006
• Red Star Sport Association Best Male Athlete: 2005{{cite web |url=http://www.sd-crvenazvezda.net/news/print.php?id=461&lang=sr |title=Прослављен 61. рођендан Црвене звезде |language=sr |trans-title=Red Star celebrates its 61st birthday |publisher=SD Crvena Zvezda (Red Star Sport Association) |date=3 March 2006 |access-date=20 May 2015 |quote=Никола Жигић, наш фудбалер, изабран је за најбољег спортисту Црвене звезде [Nikola Žigić, our footballer, was chosen as Red Star's best athlete]. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524194358/http://www.sd-crvenazvezda.net/news/print.php?id=461&lang=sr |archive-date=24 May 2015 |url-status=dead}}

{{notelist|group=upper-alpha}}

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• {{Reprezentacija|zigic-nikola}}
• {{FIFA player|216929}}
• {{NFT player|11085}}

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{{Serbian Footballer of the Year}}

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{{Serbia and Montenegro Squad 2006 World Cup}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Zigic, Nikola}}

Category:1980 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Bačka Topola

Category:Serbian men's footballers

Category:Men's association football forwards

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