Official: Nair Tiknizyan Becomes a Citizen of Serbia

Armenia national team defender and Red Star Belgrade footballer Nair Tiknizyan has officially received a passport of the Republic of Serbia. This became known from the decree of Serbian Prime Minister Djuro Macuta, published in the 81st issue of the “Official Gazette” on September 19.

Tiknizyan joined Red Star on June 22 of this year, and just 88 days after his transfer, he became a Serbian citizen.

Alongside him, two more players were granted Serbian citizenship — Milan Vukotić of Partizan and Ghanaian Douglas Owusu, who plays for Radnik Surdulica.

Obtaining a Serbian passport means that Tiknizyan will no longer count as a foreign player in the Serbian league, where only four non-EU players are allowed on the pitch at the same time. Moreover, Serbian citizenship will give the Armenian defender access to any top European league without being considered a “foreign” player.

The official decree of the Prime Minister states:

“Nair Oganesovich Tiknizyan, son of Oganes, born May 12, 1999 in Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation, citizen of the Russian Federation, is hereby granted citizenship of the Republic of Serbia. This decision shall be published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia,” reads the document signed by Prime Minister Macuta.

Tiknizyan now holds three citizenships: Armenia, Russia, and Serbia.

Here is a screenshot of the decree:

It is noteworthy that Tiknizyan received his Serbian passport just a day before the “Eternal Derby” against Partizan, which took place on September 20.

Today, the 26-year-old Armenian national team player, together with the Serbian champion, will face Scottish side Celtic in the first round of the UEFA Europa League league phase.