Ex-Premier League star 'arrested after being caught with a gun and bullets'

09 December 2023 , 12:07

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Simon Vukcevic played 21 games for Blackburn Rovers (Image: Getty Images)

Former Blackburn Rovers player Simon Vukcevic has been arrested and remanded in prison after being caught with a gun and bullets on an international border, according to reports.

Portuguese press are saying the attacking midfielder, who represented both Serbia and Montenegro and Montenegro, could be held behind bars for up to 30 days on remand. The 37-year-old, whose maiden Premier League appearance took place on September 17 2011 after he agreed to a three-year contract with the Lancashire club, is said to have been held on the Gostun border crossing as he tried to leave Serbia and enter Montenegro.

Portuguese daily Correio da Manha reported Serbian prosecutors have accused him of unlawful possession of a weapon and ammunition. Citing Serbian media reports, it said the retired footballer who spent part of his career in Portugal, had been intercepted with a gun and 126 bullets.

The reports have also been echoed by Portuguese sports daily Record, which said prosecutors in the Serbian city of Uzice were involved in the case. Vukcevic started his senior career aged 17 with Belgrade-based side Partizan. He also played for Sporting CP, Cristiano Ronaldo ’s side before he signed for Manchester United, and clubs in Russia, Ukraine, Greece and Cyprus as well as England.

During the 2008 summer transfer window, Bolton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers were at the top of the list of clubs reportedly interested in signing him while he was still with Sporting, but he ended up staying in Portugal. His first goal for Blackburn Rovers came in a 3-2 victory over Leyton Orient in the League Cup in September 2011.

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He went on to play a total of 21 games across all competitions for the club, which was relegated at the end of his first season, before he signed for Ukrainian Premier League club FC Karpaty Lviv shortly after the termination of his contract in January 2013 by mutual consent. He announced his retirement on March 30 2018.

Gerard Couzens