Ervin Zukanović (pronounced [ěrʋin zukâːnoʋitɕ]; born 11 February 1987) is a Bosnian former professional footballer who played as a centre-back. He is currently assistant coach of Čelik Zenica.

Ervin Zukanović
Zukanović with Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2015
Personal information
Date of birth (1987-02-11) 11 February 1987 (age 37)
Place of birth Sarajevo, SFR Yugoslavia
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
Čelik Zenica (assistant)
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 KFC Uerdingen 9 (0)
2009–2010 Dender 53 (2)
2010–2011 Eupen 36 (3)
2011–2013 Kortrijk 56 (8)
2013–2015 Gent 34 (2)
2014–2015Chievo (loan) 29 (2)
2015–2016 Sampdoria 16 (3)
2016–2018 Roma 9 (0)
2016–2017Atalanta (loan) 19 (0)
2017–2018Genoa (loan) 31 (0)
2018–2019 Genoa 25 (0)
2019–2020 Al-Ahli 3 (0)
2020 SPAL 3 (0)
2020–2022 Fatih Karagümrük 38 (3)
2022–2024 Asteras Tripolis 39 (4)
Total 434 (28)
International career
2012–2019 Bosnia and Herzegovina 38 (0)
Managerial career
2024– Čelik Zenica (assistant)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Zukanović started his professional career at Željezničar. After leaving the club, he had short spells with Austria Lustenau II, Velež, Sulzberg and KFC Uerdingen, 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, with whom he signed permanently a year later. In 2019, Zukanović joined Al-Ahli. The following year, he moved to SPAL. Later that year, he signed with 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

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Early career

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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 KFC 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, Zukanović switched to Eupen.[5]

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

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

Chievo

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In June 2014, Zukanović was loaned to Italian side Chievo until the end of the season.[8] He made his official debut for the team 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

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In July, Zukanović was transferred to Sampdoria for an undisclosed fee.[12] He made his competitive debut for the squad 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

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In January 2016, Zukanović was sent on a six-month loan to Roma, with an option to make the transfer permanent.[16] He debuted officially for the club 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

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

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

Later stage of career

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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 team Fatih Karagümrük.[26]

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

He announced his retirement from football on 16 July 2024.[28]

International career

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In October 2012, Zukanović received his first senior call-up to Bosnia and Herzegovina, for 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Greece and Lithuania.[29] He debuted against the latter on 16 October.[30]

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.[31]

He retired from international football on 20 October 2020.[32]

Managerial career

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In August 2024, Zukanović was appointed as Čelik Zenica assistant coach.[33]

Personal life

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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.[34]

He is a practising Muslim; together 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.[35]

Zukanović possesses Belgian passport since 2015.[36]

Career statistics

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Club

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Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[37]
Club Season League National cup[a] Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Željezničar 2005–06 Bosnian Premier League 7 0 0 0 7 0
Austria Lustenau II 2006–07 Austrian Regionalliga West 20 0 0 0 20 0
Sulzberg 2007–08 Vorarlbergliga 7 1 7 1
KFC Uerdingen 2008–09 Oberliga Niederrhein 9 0 9 0
Dender 2008–09 Belgian Pro League 20 1 0 0 20 1
2009–10 Challenger Pro League 33 1 2 0 35 1
Total 53 2 2 0 55 2
Eupen 2010–11 Belgian Pro League 36 3 1 0 37 3
Kortrijk 2011–12 Belgian Pro League 35 3 7 1 42 4
2012–13 Belgian Pro League 21 5 2 0 23 5
Total 56 8 9 1 65 9
Gent 2012–13 Belgian Pro League 15 0 1 0 16 0
2013–14 Belgian Pro League 19 2 3 0 22 2
Total 34 2 4 0 38 2
Chievo (loan) 2014–15 Serie A 29 2 0 0 29 2
Sampdoria 2015–16 Serie A 16 3 1 0 2[b] 0 19 3
Roma 2015–16 Serie A 9 0 1[c] 0 10 0
Atalanta (loan) 2016–17 Serie A 19 0 0 0 19 0
Genoa (loan) 2017–18 Serie A 31 0 0 0 31 0
Genoa 2018–19 Serie A 25 0 2 0 27 0
Total 56 0 2 0 58 0
Al-Ahli 2019–20 Saudi Pro League 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
SPAL 2019–20 Serie A 3 0 3 0
Fatih Karagümrük 2020–21 Süper Lig 17 3 0 0 17 3
2021–22 Süper Lig 21 0 2 1 23 1
Total 38 3 2 1 40 4
Asteras Tripolis 2022–23 Super League Greece 18 1 1 0 19 1
2023–24 Super League Greece 21 3 0 0 21 3
Total 39 4 1 0 40 4
Career total 434 28 22 2 3 0 459 30

International

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Appearances and goals by national team and year[38]
National team Year Apps Goals
Bosnia and Herzegovina
2012 2 0
2013 4 0
2014 0 0
2015 6 0
2016 6 0
2017 5 0
2018 9 0
2019 6 0
Total 38 0

References

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  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 5 July 2017.
  3. ^ "Tri reprezentativca BiH promijenila 36 klubova". fokus.ba (in Bosnian). 5 January 2017. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  4. ^ "Pogodili Aganović i Zukanović". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 7 March 2009. Retrieved 10 March 2009.
  5. ^ "Ervin Zukanović potpisao za Eupen". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 12 July 2010. Retrieved 15 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 25 December 2012.
  8. ^ "Ervin Zukanović postaje igrač Serie A, Chievo ga posudio iz Genta". reprezentacija.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 25 September 2014.
  10. ^ "Zukanovićev prvijenac nedovoljan Chievu, Juventus siguran". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 26 October 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  11. ^ "Chievo otkupio ugovor Ervina Zukanovića". fokus.ba (in Bosnian). 12 June 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  12. ^ "Ervin Zukanović novi igrač Sampdorije". radiosarajevo.ba (in Bosnian). 16 July 2015. Retrieved 19 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 25 October 2015.
  16. ^ "Zukanović novi igrač Rome: Pridružio se Pjaniću i Džeki". klix.ba (in Bosnian). 28 January 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  17. ^ "Roma konačno pobijedila: Sjajan debi Zukanovića, Pjanić strijelac". fokus.ba (in Bosnian). 30 January 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  18. ^ "Zukanović potpisao ugovor sa Romom do 2019. godine". sportsport.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 15 March 2016.
  20. ^ "Zukanović na posudbi u Atalanti". oslobodjenje.ba (in Bosnian). 21 July 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  21. ^ "Zukanović i službeno u Genovi". fokus.ba (in Bosnian). 11 July 2017. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  22. ^ "Prelijepa asistencija Zukanovića u debiju za Genou". reprezentacija.ba (in Bosnian). 17 September 2017. Retrieved 20 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. ^ "Ništa od povratka u Premijer ligu: Zukanović karijeru nastavlja u Grčkoj". faktor.ba (in Bosnian). 17 August 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  28. ^ "Bivši reprezentativac BiH objavio kraj karijere: Dječački san da postanem neko veliki postao je stvarnost". n1info.ba (in Bosnian). 16 July 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  29. ^ "Sušić objavio spisak za Grčku i Litvaniju". radiosarajevo.ba (in Bosnian). 1 October 2012. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
  30. ^ "Uvjerljiva pobjeda nad Litvanijom za korak bliže Brazilu". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 16 October 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
  31. ^ "Ervin Zukanović se neće pridružiti Zmajevima u Brazilu". klix.ba (in Bosnian). 30 May 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
  32. ^ "Ervin Zukanović se oprostio od reprezentacije BiH". reprezentacija.ba (in Bosnian). 20 October 2020. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  33. ^ "Ervin Zukanović se vratio u bh. fudbal: Pronašao zanimljiv trenerski angažman". avaz.ba (in Bosnian). 20 August 2024. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  34. ^ "Ervin Zukanović dobio treće dijete". reprezentacija.ba (in Bosnian). 11 April 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  35. ^ "Zmajevi u zeničkoj džamiji klanjali džumu". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 11 October 2019. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  36. ^ "Ervin Zukanović dobio belgijski pasoš". sportsport.ba (in Bosnian). 2 March 2015. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  37. ^ "E. Zukanović". soccerway.com. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  38. ^ "Ervin Zukanović". eu-football.info. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
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