# Balkan athletes secure overseas contracts

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/balkan-football-player-transfers
> Updated: 2026-08-23T05:20:17.000Z. Sources: 36. Developments: 4.

In early July 2026, Bosnian right‑back Muanis Duvnjak joined Croatian futsal side MNK Novo Vrijeme and Serbian winger Dušan Jovanović was loaned to Mačva Šabac; midfielder Igor Savić signed for Universitatea Cluj and defender Nihad Mujakić prepared a move to Azerbaijani champions Qarabağ. On 15 July, forward Nermin Mujkić transferred to a United Arab Emirates club and Serbian guard Aleksa Avramović began a one‑year loan in Turkey.

A wave of high-profile transfers followed on 2 August. Bosnian striker Admir Bristrić agreed to a €1.7–2 million transfer to England’s Leicester City, while 18‑year‑old winger Kerim Alajbegović completed a deal worth up to €37 million with Juventus through 2031. Veteran goalkeeper Asmir Begović left Leicester on a free and attracted interest from Championship sides, having described the previous season as an “absolute disaster”. Additionally, defender Zinedin Smajlović secured a €6 million move to Greek champions Olympiakos, placing him on the verge of a senior national call‑up.

By late August, Bosnian internationals continued to make impacts in major leagues. Amar Dedić made a highly-regarded debut for Newcastle United in a Premier League match against Liverpool, contributing to a 2-2 draw that saw Liverpool equalize via a 98th-minute penalty. In Italy, Alajbegović entered contention for the Juventus lineup during their Serie A opener, while Sead Kolašinac featured for Atalanta. Other active Bosnian players include Rade Krunić with Red Star Belgrade, Amir Hadžiahmetović with Beşiktaş, and Esmir Bajraktarević with PSV Eindhoven. Collectively, the transfers of Tarik Muharemović, Kerim Alajbegović, and Amar Dedić have totaled 105 million euros following their World Cup performances.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-23: Amar Dedić debuts for Newcastle in dramatic draw against Liverpool

Amar Dedić made a strong Premier League debut for Newcastle in a 2-2 draw against Liverpool, while Bosnian players see major transfers and national team preparations underway.

17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bosnian-footballers-scheduled-for-key-european-league-matches

### 2026-08-02: Bosnian footballers secure high‑profile moves to European clubs

Bosnian players Admir Bristrić (Leicester), Kerim Alajbegović (Juventus), Asmir Begović (free agent), and Zinedin Smajlović (Olympiakos) land major European transfers.

14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bosnian-striker-admir-bristri-close-to-2-million-move-to-leicester-city

### 2026-07-10: Bosnian midfielders Igor Savić and Nihad Mujakić set for moves to Romania and Azerbaijan

Igor Savić joins Romanian club Universitatea Cluj, while defender Nihad Mujakić is poised to transfer from Partizan to Azerbaijani champions Qarabağ.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bosnian-footballers-igor-savi-and-nihad-mujaki-eye-moves-to-clubs-abroad

### 2026-07-04: Balkan football moves: Duvnjak to Croatia, Jovanović loaned to Mačva

Bosnian defender Muanis Duvnjak joins Croatian club Novo Vrijeme, while Serbian youngster Dušan Jovanović is loaned from Partizan to Mačva for a season.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/balkan-football-moves-duvnjak-to-croatia-jovanovi-loaned-to-mava

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Cite as: Balkan athletes secure overseas contracts. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/balkan-football-player-transfers