Ervin Zukanović

Ervin Zukanović (Bosnian pronunciation: [ěrʋin zukâːnoʋitɕ]; born 11 February 1987) is a Bosnian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Super League Greece club Asteras Tripolis.

Ervin Zukanović
Zukanović with Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2015
Personal information
Full name Ervin Zukanović
Date of birth (1987-02-11) 11 February 1987
Place of birth Sarajevo, SFR Yugoslavia
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Asteras Tripolis
Number 87
Youth career
Željezničar
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2006 Željezničar 7 (0)
2006–2007 Austria Lustenau II 20 (0)
2007–2008 Velež 0 (0)
2008 Sulzberg 7 (1)
2008 Uerdingen 05 9 (0)
2009–2010 Dender 53 (2)
2010–2011 Eupen 36 (3)
2011–2013 Kortrijk 56 (8)
2013–2015 Gent 34 (2)
2014–2015 → Chievo (loan) 29 (2)
2015–2016 Sampdoria 16 (3)
2016–2018 Roma 9 (0)
2016–2017 → Atalanta (loan) 19 (0)
2017–2018 → Genoa (loan) 31 (0)
2018–2019 Genoa 25 (0)
2019–2020 Al-Ahli 3 (0)
2020 SPAL 3 (0)
2020–2022 Fatih Karagümrük 38 (3)
2022– Asteras Tripolis 24 (1)
International career
2012–2019 Bosnia and Herzegovina 38 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22 October 2023

Zukanović started his professional career at Željezničar. After leaving the club, he had short spells with Austria Lustenau II, Velež, Sulzberg and Uerdingen 05, before settling in Belgium, where he played for Dender, Eupen, Kortrijk and Gent. In 2014, he was loaned to Chievo. The following year, Zukanović was transferred to Sampdoria. One year after, he switched to Roma, who loaned him to Atalanta in 2016 and to Genoa in 2017. A year later, he signed permanently with Genoa. In 2019, Zukanović joined Al-Ahli. The following year, he signed with SPAL. Later that year, he moved to Fatih Karagümrük. In 2022, he joined Asteras Tripolis.

Zukanović made his senior international debut for Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2012, earning over 30 caps until 2019.

Club career

Early career

Zukanović came through the youth academy of his hometown club Željezničar. He made his professional debut in 2005 at the age of 18.[1] After leaving the team, he had short spells with mostly lower-league sides like Austria Lustenau II, Sulzberg and Uerdingen.[2]

In January 2009, he joined Belgian outfit Dender.[3] On 7 March, he scored his first professional goal against Genk.[4]

In July 2010, he switched to Eupen.[5]

In June 2011, he was transferred to Kortrijk.[6]

In December 2012, he moved to Gent.[7]

Chievo

In June 2014, Zukanović was loaned to Italian team Chievo until the end of season, with an option to make the transfer permanent.[8] He made his official debut for the club on 24 September against Sampdoria.[9] On 26 October, he scored his first goal for Chievo against Genoa.[10]

In June 2015, Chievo signed him on a four-year deal.[11]

Sampdoria

In July, Zukanović was transferred to Sampdoria for an undisclosed fee plus Fabrizio Cacciatore.[12] He made his competitive debut for the side in a UEFA Europa League qualifier against Vojvodina on 30 July.[13] A month later, he made his league debut against Napoli.[14] On 25 October, he scored his first goal for Sampdoria in a triumph over Hellas Verona.[15]

Roma

In January 2016, Zukanović was sent on a six-month loan to Roma, which included a buy option.[16] He debuted officially for the team against Frosinone on 30 January.[17] A month later, Roma exercised their buy clause and signed him on a contract until June 2019.[18] On 8 March, Zukanović debuted in the UEFA Champions League away at Real Madrid.[19]

In July, he was sent on a season-long loan to Atalanta.[20]

Genoa

In July 2017, Zukanović was loaned to Genoa for the remainder of campaign.[21] He debuted competitively for the club against Lazio on 17 September.[22]

In March 2018, Genoa signed him on a three-year deal.[23]

Later stage of career

In August 2019, Zukanović was transferred to Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ahli.[24]

In January 2020, he signed with SPAL.[25]

In August, he joined Turkish side Fatih Karagümrük.[26]

In August 2022, he moved to Greek team Asteras Tripolis.[27]

International career

In October 2012, Zukanović received his first senior call-up to Bosnia and Herzegovina, for 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Greece and Lithuania.[28] He debuted against the latter on 16 October.[29]

Zukanović was selected in Bosnia and Herzegovina's preliminary squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He failed to join the team, which had a training camp in the United States, due to visa problems. However, he later blamed the Bosnian FA, which subsequently got him dropped from the squad.[30]

He retired from international football on 20 October 2020.[31]

Personal life

Zukanović married his long-time girlfriend Emina in July 2011. Together they have three children, a daughter named Alin and two sons named Armin and Din.[32]

He is a practising Muslim; along with international teammates Ibrahim Šehić, Muhamed Bešić, Armin Hodžić, Izet Hajrović, Sead Kolašinac and Edin Višća he visited a mosque in Zenica during the national team's concentration.[33]

Zukanović possesses Belgian passport since 2015.[34]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 22 October 2023[35]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Željezničar 2005–06 Bosnian Premier League 7000–70
Austria Lustenau II 2006–07 Austrian Regionalliga West 20000–200
Sulzberg 2007–08 Vorarlbergliga 71––71
Uerdingen 05 2008–09 Oberliga Niederrhein 90––90
Dender 2008–09 Belgian Pro League 20100–201
2009–10 Challenger Pro League 33120–351
Total 53220–552
Eupen 2010–11 Belgian Pro League 36310–373
Kortrijk 2011–12 Belgian Pro League 35371–424
2012–13 Belgian Pro League 21520–235
Total 56891–659
Gent 2012–13 Belgian Pro League 15010–160
2013–14 Belgian Pro League 19230–222
Total 34240–382
Chievo (loan) 2014–15 Serie A 29200–292
Sampdoria 2015–16 Serie A 163102[lower-alpha 1]0193
Roma 2015–16 Serie A 90–1[lower-alpha 2]0100
Atalanta (loan) 2016–17 Serie A 19000–190
Genoa (loan) 2017–18 Serie A 31000–310
Genoa 2018–19 Serie A 25020–270
Total 56020–580
Al-Ahli 2019–20 Saudi Pro League 30000030
SPAL 2019–20 Serie A 30––30
Fatih Karagümrük 2020–21 Süper Lig 17300–173
2021–22 Süper Lig 21021–231
Total 38321–404
Asteras Tripolis 2022–23 Super League Greece 18110–191
2023–24 Super League Greece 6000–60
Total 24110–251
Career total 419252223044427
  1. appearances in UEFA Europa League qualifying
  2. appearance in UEFA Champions League

International
As of match played 8 September 2019[36]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Bosnia and Herzegovina
201220
201340
201400
201560
201660
201750
201890
201960
Total380

References
  1. "Bivši reprezentativac BiH ne zaboravlja FK Željezničar, a njegov današnji gest je to najbolje pokazao". oslobodjenje.ba (in Bosnian). 21 May 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  2. "Ervin Zukanović bi se mogao vratiti u Chievo". klix.ba (in Bosnian). 4 July 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  3. "Tri reprezentativca BiH promijenila 36 klubova". fokus.ba (in Bosnian). 5 January 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  4. "Pogodili Aganović i Zukanović". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 7 March 2009. Retrieved 8 March 2009.
  5. "Ervin Zukanović potpisao za Eupen". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 12 July 2010. Retrieved 13 July 2010.
  6. "Zukanović karijeru nastavlja u Kortrijku". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 29 June 2011. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  7. "Zukanović potpisao za Gent". radiosarajevo.ba (in Bosnian). 24 December 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
  8. "Gent Ervina Zukanovića posudio Chievu". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 19 June 2014. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  9. "Zukanović debitirao u porazu Chieva od Sampdorije". klix.ba (in Bosnian). 24 September 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
  10. "Zukanovićev prvijenac nedovoljan Chievu, Juventus siguran". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 26 October 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  11. "Chievo otkupio Zukanovićev ugovor od Genta". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 12 June 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  12. "Ervin Zukanović novi igrač Sampdorije". fokus.ba (in Bosnian). 10 July 2015. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
  13. "Vojvodina ponizila Sampdoriju u Italiji! Zukanoviću 90 minuta u debiju". reprezentacija.ba (in Bosnian). 30 July 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  14. "Jovetić za pobjedu Intera, katastrofa Lazija". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 30 August 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  15. "Ervin Zukanović postigao prvi gol u dresu Sampdorije". reprezentacija.ba (in Bosnian). 25 October 2015. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
  16. "Zukanović novi igrač Rome: Pridružio se Pjaniću i Džeki". klix.ba (in Bosnian). 28 January 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  17. "Roma konačno pobijedila: Sjajan debi Zukanovića, Pjanić strijelac". fokus.ba (in Bosnian). 30 January 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  18. "Roma već otkupila ugovor Ervina Zukanovića". reprezentacija.ba (in Bosnian). 29 February 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  19. "Ervin Zukanović o debiju u Ligi Šampiona: Bilo je to nevjerovatno iskustvo". reprezentacija.ba (in Bosnian). 12 March 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  20. "Zukanović na posudbi u Atalanti". oslobodjenje.ba (in Bosnian). 21 July 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  21. "Ervin Zukanović ide na posudbu u Genou". fokus.ba (in Bosnian). 11 July 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
  22. "Prelijepa asistencija Zukanovića u debiju za Genou". reprezentacija.ba (in Bosnian). 17 September 2017. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
  23. "Genoa otkupila Ervina Zukanovića od Rome za 1,5 milion eura". klix.ba (in Bosnian). 1 March 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  24. "Ervin Zukanović se pridružio Elvisu Sariću u Al-Ahliju". reprezentacija.ba (in Bosnian). 1 August 2019. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  25. "Zukanović potpisao ugovor, vraća se u Italiju". avaz.ba (in Bosnian). 31 January 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  26. "Ervin Zukanović karijeru nastavlja u Turskoj". klix.ba (in Bosnian). 26 August 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  27. "Sarajevski rivali ostali kratkih rukava, Zukanović odabrao novi klub". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 17 August 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  28. "Sušić objavio spisak za Grčku i Litvaniju". radiosarajevo.ba (in Bosnian). 1 October 2012. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
  29. "Uvjerljiva pobjeda nad Litvanijom za korak bliže Brazilu". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 16 October 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
  30. "Ervin Zukanović se neće pridružiti Zmajevima u Brazilu". klix.ba (in Bosnian). 30 May 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
  31. "Ervin Zukanović se oprostio od reprezentacije BiH". avaz.ba (in Bosnian). 20 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  32. "Ervin Zukanović dobio treće dijete". reprezentacija.ba (in Bosnian). 11 April 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  33. "Zmajevi u zeničkoj džamiji klanjali džumu". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 11 October 2019. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  34. "Ervin Zukanović dobio belgijski pasoš". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 2 March 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  35. "E. Zukanović". soccerway.com. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  36. "Ervin Zukanović". eu-football.info. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
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