Overview
Živko Živković is a professional footballer from Serbia, known for his role as a goalkeeper. Born in Užice on April 14, 1989, Živković has established a career spanning over a decade, primarily across Serbian and Greek football leagues. Standing at 1.93 meters (approximately 6 feet 4 inches), his physical stature is a defining characteristic of his presence between the posts. He developed through the youth ranks of FK Partizan, one of Serbia's most prominent clubs, before embarking on a senior career that has seen him play for several teams, demonstrating longevity and a consistent performance level.
Position
As a goalkeeper, Živković's primary responsibilities include shot-stopping, commanding his penalty area, and initiating play from the back. His height provides an advantage in aerial duels and reaching high shots, while his experience contributes to his decision-making under pressure. Throughout his career, he has often served as a first-choice goalkeeper, underscoring his reliability and the trust placed in him by various coaching staffs. His role demands not only technical proficiency but also strong communication skills to organize the defense in front of him.
Identity
Živković's identity as a goalkeeper is defined by his composed demeanor and fundamental efficiency. He is not typically a flamboyant keeper but rather one who prioritizes solid, effective saves and minimizing errors. He can be described as a 'reliable guardian' – a player who consistently performs his core duties without seeking unnecessary risks. This approach has allowed him to maintain a sustained career at a professional level, adapting to different leagues and team dynamics while delivering a steady presence in goal.
Career path
Živko Živković's footballing journey began in his native Serbia, progressing through the youth system of FK Partizan. He spent his formative years at the club, a common pathway for many Serbian talents. His professional debut marked the beginning of a career characterized by multiple loan spells and permanent transfers, accumulating significant senior experience.
FK Partizan (Youth & Senior Debut)
Živković joined the youth academy of FK Partizan, one of the most successful clubs in Serbian football history, where he honed his goalkeeping skills. He made his senior debut for the club, a significant milestone for any young player. Despite being part of Partizan's squad for several seasons, competition for the starting goalkeeper spot was intense. To gain valuable first-team exposure, he was loaned out to other Serbian clubs.
Loan Spells in Serbia
During his tenure at Partizan, Živković experienced multiple loan periods. He spent time at FK Teleoptik, a feeder club for Partizan, which provided a platform for regular match action. Subsequently, he also had loan spells at FK Metalac Gornji Milanovac and FK Sloboda Užice, gaining crucial experience in the Serbian top flight. These moves allowed him to develop his game in competitive environments before returning to his parent club as per Transfermarkt records.
Permanent Moves & Greek Super League
After his various stints, Živković eventually moved beyond Partizan. A notable phase of his career began when he transitioned to Greek football. He joined PAOK FC, a prominent club in the Super League Greece, where he has spent a significant portion of his recent career. His move to Greece provided a new challenge and an opportunity to establish himself in a competitive European league. At PAOK, he has contributed to the team's efforts in domestic competitions and European campaigns, including the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League qualifiers. Throughout his career, Živković has demonstrated adaptability and consistency across different club environments, solidifying his reputation as a reliable goalkeeper.
Playing style
Živko Živković's playing style as a goalkeeper is built on a foundation of reliability, strong aerial command, and composed shot-stopping. His 1.93-meter frame provides a significant advantage in managing his penalty area, particularly when dealing with crosses and set pieces. He rarely ventures far from his line unless necessary, preferring to maintain a strong positional sense within the 18-yard box.
One of his key attributes is his ability to command his area. Živković is adept at coming out to collect crosses, relieving pressure on his defense and preventing opponents from getting clear headers on goal. This is a crucial aspect of his game, especially in leagues where aerial play can be a significant threat. His decision-making in these situations is generally sound, opting to punch or catch based on the specific game scenario and the number of players around him.
In terms of shot-stopping, Živković demonstrates good reflexes and a consistent technique. He relies on fundamental goalkeeping principles, ensuring he positions himself correctly to make saves and parry shots away from danger. While he may not be renowned for spectacular, acrobatic saves frequently, his efficiency in stopping shots that are within his reach is high. Data from platforms like Sofascore often highlights his consistent save percentages, indicating his effectiveness over time.
His distribution is generally conservative and functional. Živković prioritizes finding a teammate or clearing the ball to safety, rather than attempting risky passes. He is capable of launching accurate long balls when needed to initiate counter-attacks, but his primary focus remains on retaining possession or moving the ball quickly out of defensive zones. In this regard, his style can be compared to experienced, traditional goalkeepers who prioritize defensive solidity over modern sweeper-keeper tendencies.
Comparatively, Živković shares traits with goalkeepers known for their positional awareness and command of the box, rather than their footwork or adventurous play. He is a keeper who provides a calming presence, minimizing errors and offering a stable last line of defense.
Achievements & honours
Živko Živković has accumulated several team honours throughout his career, primarily with FK Partizan in Serbia and PAOK FC in Greece. These achievements reflect his contributions to successful squads in their respective domestic competitions.
Club Honours
With FK Partizan, Živković was part of teams that secured multiple Serbian SuperLiga titles and Serbian Cups. His time at the club, particularly during his earlier years and subsequent returns, coincided with periods of significant domestic dominance for Partizan.
Upon moving to PAOK FC in Greece, Živković continued to add to his trophy cabinet. He has been a part of teams that have won the Greek Cup, a testament to the club's consistent performance in knockout competitions.
| Club | Competition | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| FK Partizan | Serbian SuperLiga | 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15 |
| FK Partizan | Serbian Cup | 2008–09, 2010–11 |
| PAOK FC | Greek Cup | 2020–21 |
These honours underscore Živković's involvement in successful campaigns at the highest level of domestic football in both Serbia and Greece. While individual awards are not widely cited for him, his consistent presence in winning teams highlights his value as a reliable and experienced goalkeeper.
International career
Živko Živković has represented Serbia at various youth levels but has not earned a senior cap for the Serbia national football team. His international career primarily consists of appearances for Serbia's U17, U19, and U21 squads.
He was a regular fixture in the youth national teams, participating in qualifying campaigns and tournaments at those age groups. Playing for the U17 and U19 teams provided him with early exposure to international competition, facing peers from across Europe. These experiences are crucial for player development, offering a different tactical and competitive environment compared to club football.
Živković also featured for the Serbia U21 team, the final step before the senior national side. This level often serves as a proving ground for players aspiring to represent their country at the highest level. Despite his consistent performances for the U21s, the competition for the senior goalkeeper position in Serbia has historically been strong, featuring goalkeepers who have played in top European leagues. This competition has meant that Živković, despite a solid club career, has not yet broken into the senior national team setup.
As of May 2026, Živković remains uncapped at the senior level for Serbia. His focus has largely remained on his club commitments, where he has built a reputation as a dependable presence between the posts. The absence of senior international caps does not diminish his professional standing but rather highlights the depth of goalkeeping talent within Serbian football.
What makes Živko Živković stand out
Živko Živković stands out primarily due to his unwavering consistency and command of his penalty area. In an era where many goalkeepers are increasingly valued for their footwork and 'sweeper-keeper' abilities, Živković represents a more traditional, yet highly effective, goalkeeping style. His 1.93-meter height gives him a significant advantage in aerial duels and handling crosses, making him a reliable presence during set pieces and high balls into the box. This particular trait often provides a calming influence on his defense, as they can trust him to deal with aerial threats effectively.
Another distinguishing feature is his composure under pressure. Živković rarely makes rash decisions or attempts overly ambitious plays. Instead, he focuses on fundamental goalkeeping principles: solid positioning, clean handling, and effective shot-stopping. This measured approach minimizes errors and contributes to defensive stability, a quality highly valued by coaches. He is a goalkeeper who prioritizes clean sheets and preventing goals over flashy saves, which often goes unnoticed but is critical for team success.
"Živković brings a level of experience and reliability that is invaluable. You know what you're going to get from him every single game."