Sead Hajrović
Sead Hajrović (born 4 June 1993) is a Bosnian professional footballer who plays for FC Winterthur in the Swiss Challenge League.
 Sead Hajrović in 2014 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 4 June 1993 | ||
| Place of birth | Brugg, Switzerland | ||
| Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Playing position(s) | Defender | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | FC Winterthur | ||
| Number | 4 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Grasshopper | |||
| 2009–2011 | Arsenal | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2011–2013 | Arsenal | 0 | (0) |
| 2012 | → Barnet (loan) | 10 | (0) |
| 2013–2014 | Grasshopper | 2 | (0) |
| 2014–2016 | FC Winterthur | 67 | (0) |
| 2016–2018 | FC Wohlen | 58 | (3) |
| 2018– | FC Winterthur | 32 | (2) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2008 | Switzerland U15 | 6 | (0) |
| 2009 | Switzerland U17 | 8 | (0) |
| 2010–2011 | Switzerland U18 | 11 | (0) |
| 2011–2012 | Switzerland U19 | 6 | (0) |
| 2013–2014 | Bosnia and Herzegovina U21 | 4 | (0) |
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 13 June 2019 ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 15 October 2014 | |||
Club career
Arsenal
Hajrović officially signed professional terms on 7 July 2011 after signing for Arsenal as a scholar in the summer of 2009, arriving from Grasshopper in his home country.
He went on loan to Barnet and made his debut on 28 January 2012 against Crewe Alexandra, coming on as a substitute.[1] Although his spell with Barnet was hampered somewhat by injury, he made 10 appearances as the Bees avoided relegation from League Two.
In an interview with Mugais Jahangir, the Editor of The Gooner Thoughts, Hajrović talked about his time at Arsenal and Arsene Wenger as his coach, who he describes as 'motivating'.
He [Arsene Wenger] is a great coach and he definitely knows what he is doing. He also gives a lot of young players chances to be involved with the first team and if you would have the chance to speak to him for a few minutes, you would never forget that conversation. He would motivate you in every possible way and tell you exactly what is good and where you have to improve.
On 4 December 2012, Hajrović was included in Arsenal's trip to Olympiacos as an unused substitute.
In May 2013, Hajrović was released by Arsenal to look for a different team where he plans to start regularly.
Grasshopper
On 5 August 2013, Hajrović signed a two-year contract with Grasshopper Club Zürich.[3]
Winterthur
On 1 July 2014, Hajrović signed another two-year contract with FC Winterthur after terminating his previous contract with Grasshopper.[4]
International career
Hajrović was part of the Swiss side that won the under-17 World Cup in 2009, before going on to captain the under-18s.
At the start of 2013, Hajrović, after expressing desire to play for Bosnia and Herzegovina, was invited by the Bosnian FA as a special guest for Bosnia's friendly against Slovenia. In May 2013, FIFA allowed Hajrović to switch national teams, after which he elected to play for Bosnia and Herzegovina internationally.
He made his debut for Bosnian U-21 team on 31 May 2013. in a friendly match between Bosnia and Herzegovina U21 and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Personal life
His parents are Bosniaks from Bijelo Polje, Montenegro, but they relocated to Sarajevo in 1980. They moved to Switzerland in 1987.[5][6] His older brother, Izet is also a footballer playing for Dinamo Zagreb.
Hajrović is fluent in German, English and Bosnian.[7]
References
- "Barnet vs Crewe". Barnet F.C. 28 January 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
- "Sead Hajrovic' Interview". Gooner Thoughts.com.
- "Sead Hajrović signs Grasshopper Club Zürich". reprezentacija.ba.
- "Sead Hajrović plays for FC Winterthur". watson.ch.
- http://www.sport.ba/istaknuto/proglasavali-su-izdajnikom-ja-sam-uvijek-znao-da-cu-igrati-za-bih/]
- Al Jazeera Balkans (12 February 2013). "Borba za igrače iz dijaspore - Al Jazeera Balkans" – via YouTube.
