<DIV><DIV><DIV><B>One of the best defenders playing in the English Premier League today, Nemanja Vidic is a cult figure among Manchester United fans and has enjoyed a meteoric rise to soccer stardom</B><P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P><DIV>This is the incredible story of a player renowned as one of the best defenders in Europe, if not the world. Born in Serbia in 1981, Vidic was signed to Red Star Belgrade's youth system at 15, and by the age of 20 had won the Yugoslav Cup with Red Star. The captain's armband soon followed and he led Red Star to a domestic double in 2004, before moving to the Russian Premier League and Spartak Moscow. In 2006 he signed for Manchester United. Alongside Rio Ferdinand, Vidic began a defensive partnership that has proved to be one of the most formidable in English football. Vidic picked up Premier League winner's medals in 2007 and 2008, and was part of the squad that won the 2008 Champions League. He played in every one of United's record-breaking run of 14 clean sheets in 2008/9 and helped the team to victory in the Club World Cup, before finishing the season with more Premier League glory as United won their 18th League title. Loved by the Old Trafford faithful for his aggressive defensive style, and his ability to score goals from set pieces, Vidic was short-listed for the PFA Player of the Year in 2009 and was Manchester United fans' and players' Player of the Year.</div></B></DIV></B></DIV></DIV>