Alen Halilović
Halilović in 2023
Personal information
Full name Alen Halilović
Date of birth (1996-06-18) 18 June 1996[1]
Place of birth Dubrovnik, Croatia
Height 1.69 m (5 ft 7 in)[2]
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Fortuna Sittard
Number 10
Youth career
Dinamo Zagreb
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2014 Dinamo Zagreb 44 (7)
2014–2015 Barcelona B 30 (4)
2014–2016 Barcelona 0 (0)
2015–2016 → Sporting Gijón (loan) 36 (3)
2016–2018 Hamburger SV 6 (0)
2017–2018 → Las Palmas (loan) 38 (2)
2018–2020 AC Milan 0 (0)
2019 → Standard Liège (loan) 14 (0)
2019–2020 → Heerenveen (loan) 17 (1)
2020–2021 Birmingham City 17 (1)
2021–2022 Reading 11 (1)
2022–2023 Rijeka 8 (1)
2023– Fortuna Sittard 14 (2)
International career‡
2010 Croatia U14 2 (1)
2010–2011 Croatia U15 6 (3)
2012 Croatia U16 4 (1)
2012–2013 Croatia U17 13 (3)
2014–2019 Croatia U21 17 (4)
2013–2019 Croatia 10 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18:57, 8 December 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21 June 2019

Alen Halilović (Croatian pronunciation: [ǎlen xalǐːloʋitɕ];[3] born 18 June 1996) is a Croatian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Dutch Eredivisie club Fortuna Sittard.

As the Prva HNL's youngest ever goalscorer (until May 2021) and the youngest ever debutant for the Croatia national team, he was considered to be one of the most promising young talents of European football.[4][5]

In March 2014, Barcelona reached an agreement with Dinamo Zagreb for a five-year transfer to the club.[6] He made one appearance for the senior team (in the Copa del Rey), spending most of the season with the B-team. He then had a season-long loan to Sporting Gijón, before signing for Hamburg in July 2016. He spent much of the next two seasons on loan to Las Palmas before joining AC Milan. He went on loan spells with Standard Liège and Heerenveen. Having left Milan after contract termination in October 2020, he signed with Birmingham City in 2020, then Reading in 2021 and Rijeka in 2022 all on brief spells.

Club career

Dinamo Zagreb

On 27 September 2012, he made his debut for the first team in the "Eternal derby" win over Hajduk Split (3–1), when he replaced Sammir for the final ten minutes of the match.[7] This made him the youngest debutant in the history of Dinamo Zagreb, at the age of 16 years and 101 days. In the next round match against Slaven Belupo, he again came off the bench and scored the final goal in a 4–1 victory. This made him the youngest goalscorer in the history of the league, at the age of 16 years and 112 days – breaking the record set in November 2010 by his teammate, Mateo Kovačić.[8] The record would last until 22 May 2021, when Lovro Zvonarek broke it by scoring his first goal aged 16 years and 14 days.[9] In November 2012, Halilović scored his second league goal for Dinamo in a 5–0 win against NK Zadar, from outside of the box on an assist provided by Kovačić.[10] In his first professional season with Dinamo, he also managed to participate in UEFA Champions League. On 24 October 2012, he made his European debut in the 90th minute of the encounter against the French team Paris Saint-Germain at Maksimir Stadium, coming on as a substitute for Kovačić. Thus he became the club's youngest player ever to feature in a Champions League match, and second youngest player in the history of the UEFA Champions League.

Barcelona

Halilović training with Barcelona in 2015.

On 27 March 2014, FC Barcelona reached an agreement with Dinamo Zagreb for Halilović to join Barcelona in July 2014 at the start of the summer transfer window. He signed a five-year contract for an initial amount of €2.2 million, set to increase if he secures a spot on the first team, and was assigned to the reserves in Segunda División.[6]

On 2 April 2014, FIFA announced that Barcelona would be banned from buying players until summer 2015 after illegally signing underaged players, putting the move in doubt.[11] On 23 April 2014, FC Barcelona's transfer ban was suspended pending an appeal, allowing the transfer to go ahead for the time being.[12] On 2 May 2014, Halilović signed for Barcelona on a five-year contract for €2.2 million.[13]

Halilović made his first appearance for Barcelona's senior team on 15 January 2015, replacing Adama Traoré for the last 28 minutes of a 4–0 away win against Elche CF in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey.[14][15]

Loan to Sporting Gijón

On 21 August 2015, he was loaned to fellow league team Sporting de Gijón, in a season-long deal.[16] On 29 August, Halilović made his La Liga debut, coming on as a second-half substitute for Carlos Carmona in a 0–0 away draw against Real Sociedad.[17] His first goal in the category came on 3 October, opening a 2–1 win away to RCD Espanyol,[18] and on 1 November he netted the only goal of a win against Málaga CF at El Molinón.[19]

Halilović was a half-time substitute for Nacho Cases on 15 December in the national cup last-32 second leg and scored twice – one a penalty kick – to ensure a 3–3 home draw against Real Betis, who advanced 5–3 on aggregate.[20]

Hamburger SV

On 19 July 2016, it was announced that Halilović would join Bundesliga side Hamburger SV for €5.5 million, with a buy-back clause for Barcelona worth €10 million.[21] Two days later the move was confirmed, with Halilović signing a four-year deal.[22] Halilović scored his first goal for the club on his debut in a DFB-Pokal cup match against FSV Zwickau on 22 August 2016. This was the only goal of the match and helped Hamburg to the next round.[23][24] He had to wait until 10 September to make his league debut, however, which was in the second league game of the season against Bayer Leverkusen.[25]

Loan to Las Palmas

In January 2017, Halilović joined Las Palmas for 18 months in a loan deal, with an option for Las Palmas to buy him.[26]

In the first game of the 2017–18 season for Las Palmas, playing against Valencia, Halilović received a straight red card for a tackle on José Gayà, in the 33rd minute.[27]

AC Milan

On 3 July 2018, Alen Halilović joined Serie A club AC Milan on a free transfer.[28] He signed a contract until 30 June 2021.[29]

Loan to Standard Liège

On 31 January 2019, Halilović joined Standard Liège on loan with an option to buy until 30 June 2020.[30]

Loan to SC Heerenveen

Starting September 2019, Halilović's loan to Standard Liége got cancelled and he went on loan to the Dutch team SC Heerenveen for the duration of a year.[31]

Following the abandonment of the Eredivisie on 24 April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Halilović returned to Milan. On 5 October, Milan announced they terminated his contract by mutual consent.[32]

Birmingham City

On 23 November 2020, Halilović joined EFL Championship club Birmingham City as a free agent; he signed until the end of the season.[33] After a lengthy wait for international clearance,[34] he made his Birmingham debut as a second-half substitute in a 1–0 win away to Bristol City on 5 December.[35] He scored his first and only goal for Birmingham on 27 February 2021 with "a superb left-footed curler from 20 yards (18 m)" to complete a 2–1 win over Queens Park Rangers.[36] In celebration, he took off his shirt to reveal a caricature depicting Serbian musician Đorđe Balašević, who had died eight days earlier.[37] He made 17 league appearances, and was offered terms for the coming season, but had not signed by the time his contract expired.[38]

Reading

Halilović signed a one-year deal with another Championship club, Reading, on 27 August 2021.[39] On 20 May 2022, Reading confirmed that he would leave the club at the end of his contract with the club.[40]

Rijeka

On 6 July 2022, Halilović signed for the Croatian SuperSport HNL club Rijeka on a free transfer.[41][42] The club and Halilović mutually terminated his contract in January 2023.[43][44]

Fortuna Sittard

On 18 July 2023, Halilović returned to the Netherlands and signed a contract with Fortuna Sittard for one year, with an option for two more. He scored his first goal for the club on 16 September 2023, in an Eredivisie match at home against FC Volendam, also grabbing his first assist the same game.[45]

International career

Halilović playing for Croatia in 2013

Halilović was eligible to play for Croatia or Bosnia and Herzegovina on international level, opting for the former and representing them at various youth levels. In March 2013, he was a member of Croatia U17 that qualified for the European Under-17 Championship in Slovakia.[46] On 10 June 2013, Halilović made his debut for the senior team against Portugal in a friendly match as a 50th-minute substitute for Ivan Strinić. At age 16, he became the youngest debutant in the history of Croatia.[47][48]

In 2016, ahead of Euro 2016, Halilović was left out of the 23-man squad for the tournament, reportedly taking it personally.[49][50][51] He did not make an appearance for the national team until June 2019, when he played 30 minutes in a friendly against Tunisia.[52][53] Later that month, he captained Croatia at Under-21 Euro 2019. After a heavy 4–1 loss to Romania,[54] he was left on the bench for the remaining matches against France and England, as Croatia failed to qualify for the knockout stage.[55][56]

Personal life

His father, Sejad Halilović, is a former Bosnian international who also played for Dinamo Zagreb.[57] The entire family relocated to Spain when he was signed by FC Barcelona, with his two younger brothers, Dino and Damir, also being signed to play for one of the club's youth teams.[57] He is a supporter of Bosnian club FK Sarajevo.[58]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 8 December 2023[59]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[lower-alpha 1] Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Dinamo Zagreb 2012–13 Prva HNL 182003[lower-alpha 2]0—212
2013–14 Prva HNL 265618[lower-alpha 3]01[lower-alpha 4]0416
Total 4476111010628
Barcelona B 2014–15 Segunda División 304———304
Barcelona 2014–15 La Liga 001000—10
Sporting Gijón (loan) 2015–16 La Liga 36312——375
Hamburger SV 2016–17 Bundesliga 6011——71
Las Palmas (loan) 2016–17 La Liga 18000——180
2017–18 La Liga 20210——212
Total 38210——392
Milan 2018–19 Serie A 00003[lower-alpha 5]0—30
Standard Liège (loan) 2018–19 Belgian First Division A 14000——140
Heerenveen (loan) 2019–20 Eredivisie 17130——201
Birmingham City 2020–21 EFL Championship 17100——171
Reading 2021–22 EFL Championship 11110——121
Rijeka 2022–23 Prva HNL 81102[lower-alpha 6]0—111
Fortuna Sittard 2023–24 Eredivisie 14 2 1 1 — — 15 3
Career total 235221651601026827
  1. ↑ Includes Croatian Football Cup, Copa del Rey, DFB-Pokal, Coppa Italia, Belgian Cup, KNVB Cup, FA Cup
  2. ↑ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  3. ↑ Three appearances in UEFA Champions League, five in UEFA Europa League
  4. ↑ Appearance in Croatian Super Cup
  5. ↑ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  6. ↑ Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League

International

As of 18 June 2019[60]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Croatia| 201330
201440
201620
201700
201800
201910
Total100

Honours

Source:[61]

Dinamo Zagreb

Barcelona

References

  1. ↑ "Alen Halilović: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
  2. ↑ "Alen Halilović". Archived from the original on 29 June 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  3. ↑ "Hàlīl". Hrvatski jezični portal (in Serbo-Croatian). Retrieved 19 March 2018. Halílović
  4. ↑ Sharland, Peter. "Stars of the future: A look at some of European football's most talented 16-year-olds". GiveMeFootball. Archived from the original on 4 May 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
  5. ↑ "Sky Sports Scout – Alen Halilovic". Sky Sports. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
  6. 1 2 "Agreement with Dinamo Zagreb for Alen Halilovic transfer". FC Barcelona official website. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  7. ↑ Dominik, Ivan (29 September 2012). "Alen Halilović debitirao za Dinamo u derbiju: "Osjećaj je fenomenalan i presretan sam"". Sportnet.hr. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
  8. ↑ "Halilović postao najmlađi strijelac u povijest HNL-a: 'Hvala Čačiću i Beqiraju'". Sportske novosti. Archived from the original on 17 October 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
  9. ↑ Znaor, Mislav (23 May 2021). "Zvonarek srušio Halilovića i postao najmlađi strijelac 1. HNL!". 24sata (in Croatian). Archived from the original on 23 May 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  10. ↑ "Halilović nakon golčine Zadru: "Lijepo mi je". Index.hr. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
  11. ↑ "Barcelona hit with a year-long transfer ban for breaching rules on youngsters". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  12. ↑ "Barcelona transfer ban suspended". Goal.com. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  13. ↑ "Alen Halilovic signs till 2019: "It's a great day"". FC Barcelona official website. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  14. ↑ "Cuando el trámite se convierte en un placer" [When the procedure becomes a pleasure]. Marca (in Spanish). 15 January 2015. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  15. ↑ "Elche - Barcelona". BBC Sport. 15 January 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  16. ↑ "Agreement for Halilovic loan to Sporting Gijón". Barcelona's official website. 21 August 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  17. ↑ "Illarra no es suficiente" [Illarra is not enough]. Marca (in Spanish). 29 August 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  18. ↑ Malgón, Manuel (3 October 2015). "Álex Menéndez vuelve a valer tres puntos" [Álex Menéndez returns to be worth three points]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  19. ↑ "Alen Halilovic on target as Sporting Gijon edge past Malaga". ESPN. 1 November 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  20. ↑ "Halilovic: "Jugamos mucho mejor que el Betis"" [Halilović: "We played much better than Betis"] (in Spanish). Estadio Deportivo. 15 December 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  21. ↑ "Alen Halilović ide u HSV, Barcelona prihvatila ponudu" (in Croatian). Vecernji list. 19 July 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  22. ↑ HSV Fußball AG (publisher) (21 July 2016). "HSV verpflichtet Alen Halilovic". Hamburger SV (in German). Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  23. ↑ "Spieltag". DFB - Deutscher Fußball-Bund e.V. 10 May 2014.
  24. ↑ "HSV in Runde 2 - Traumtor-Debüt für Halilovic". bild.de.
  25. ↑ "Spieltag/Tabelle". DFB - Deutscher Fußball-Bund e.V. 18 March 2014.
  26. ↑ "Alen Halilovic joins Las Palmas on loan from Hamburg". ESPNFC.com.
  27. ↑ "Valencia CF vs UD Las Palmas - LaLiga Santander". Página web oficial de LaLiga | Liga de Fútbol Profesional.
  28. ↑ "Halilović signed for Milan" (in Italian). Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  29. ↑ "Halilović contract until 2021". Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  30. ↑ "UFFICIALE: Milan, Halilovic in prestito allo Standard Liegi" (in Italian). Retrieved 1 February 2019.
  31. ↑ "Heerenveen huurt voormalig toptalent Halilovic" (in Dutch). Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  32. ↑ "Official Statement: Alen Halilović". AC Milan. 5 October 2020. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  33. ↑ "Blues capture talented Halilovic". Birmingham City F.C. 23 November 2020. Archived from the original on 23 January 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  34. ↑ "Alen Halilović update". Birmingham City F.C. 4 December 2020. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  35. ↑ "Games played by Alen Halilović in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  36. ↑ "Birmingham City 2–1 Queens Park Rangers". BBC Sport. 27 February 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  37. ↑ Dick, Brian (28 February 2021). "Explained: This is the man behind Alen Halilovic's bittersweet Birmingham City tribute". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  38. ↑ Dick, Brian (29 June 2021). "Lee Bowyer opens up about Alen Halilovic's Birmingham City future". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  39. ↑ Low, Jonathan (27 August 2021). "Reading FC complete signing of ex Barcelona, AC Milan and Birmingham midfielder Alen Halilovic". BerkshireLive. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  40. ↑ "CONTRACTS OFFERED AND ACADEMY TALENT GIVEN DEALS". readingfc.co.uk. Reading F.C. 20 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  41. ↑ "Alen Halilović novi igrač Rijeke: Zaželio sam se ovu sezonu vratiti u Hrvatsku, sretan sam što sam u Rijeci" (in Croatian). HNK Rijeka. 6 July 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  42. ↑ "Alen Halilović potpisao za Rijeku: "Dugo smo u kontaktu, inzistirao sam da dođem"". gol.hr. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  43. ↑ "Alen Halilović otišao iz Rijeke". Index.hr (in Croatian). 31 January 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  44. ↑ Đečević, Jasmin (31 January 2023). "Halilović raskinuo ugovor s Rijekom, uskoro još odlazaka s Rujevice". Novi list (in Croatian). Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  45. ↑ "ALEN HALILOVIC NIEUWSTE AANWINST FORTUNA" [ALEN HALILOVIC NEWEST ADDITION TO FORTUNA] (in Dutch). Fortuna Sittard. 18 July 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  46. ↑ "Hrvatska na Euru U-17 u skupini s Italijom, Rusijom i Ukrajinom". Večernji list. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
  47. ↑ "Croatia vs Portugal". Soccerway. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  48. ↑ "Transfer news: Barcelona complete signing of Croatian starlet Alen Halilovic from Dinamo Zagreb in €2.2m (£1.8m) deal". The Independent. Archived from the original on 1 April 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  49. ↑ Maksan, Silvijo (1 June 2016). "JAVIO NAM SE PREKRIŽENI VATRENI: 'Poštujem izbornikovu odluku, a Halilović je sve malo previše uzeo ka srcu'". Net.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  50. ↑ "KAKO SU 'OTPISANI' PRIHVATILI ČAČIĆEVU ODLUKU?! Potreseni Halilović samo je šutio, spakirao stvari i bez riječi napustio Rovinj". Net.hr (in Croatian). 1 June 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  51. ↑ "ALENE, OPROSTI: Evo što je Ante Čačić govorio o otpisanom Haliloviću". Net.hr (in Croatian). 31 May 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  52. ↑ M. J. (3 June 2019). "Dalić: Htjeli smo izbjeći Tunis, ali UEFA nas je natjerala". Index.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  53. ↑ "FOTO: HRVATSKA IZGUBILA OD TUNISA U KIŠOM OKUPANOM VARAŽDINU Vatreni pretrpjeli prvi poraz od neke afričke reprezentacije ikad". Sportske novosti (in Croatian). 11 June 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  54. ↑ Ćubel, Jelena (18 June 2019). "Halilović: Bili smo sramotni! Kao kapetan kriv sam za sve..." 24sata (in Croatian). Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  55. ↑ Vukušić, Danijel (22 June 2019). "Gračan: Halilović je šutio kad sam mu rekao da je na klupi..." 24sata (in Croatian). Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  56. ↑ "SPEKTAKULARNA UTAKMICA ZA OPROŠTAJ OD EURA: Hrvatska triput gubila i triput se vraćala, kući se vraća s bodom!". Net.hr (in Croatian). 24 June 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  57. 1 2 "totalBarça (@totalBarca) | Twitter". www.totalbarca.com. Archived from the original on 1 February 2015.
  58. ↑ "Alen Halilović: Uvijek sam navijao za Sarajevo, reći ću i Messiju" (in Bosnian). Klix.ba. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  59. ↑ Alen Halilović at Soccerway
  60. ↑ Alen Halilović at National-Football-Teams.com
  61. ↑ "Alen Halilović" (in Portuguese). ZeroZero. 27 January 2016. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
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