Goran Zakarić

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Goran Zakarić

| fullname = Goran Zakarić

| image = Goran Zakaric 03 (cropped).jpg

| image_size = 205px

| caption = Zakarić playing for Borac Banja Luka in 2020

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|11|7|df=y}}

| birth_place = Gradiška, Bosnia and Herzegovina

| height = 1.82 m

| position = Winger

| currentclub = Vardar

| clubnumber = 10

| youthyears1 = 2001–2009

| youthclubs1 = Kozara Gradiška

| years1 = 2009–2010

| clubs1 = Kozara Gradiška

| caps1 =

| goals1 =

| years2 = 2010–2011

| clubs2 = Široki Brijeg

| caps2 = 24

| goals2 = 5

| years3 = 2011–2017

| clubs3 = Dinamo Zagreb

| caps3 = 0

| goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2011–2012

| clubs4 = → Široki Brijeg (loan)

| caps4 = 21

| goals4 = 4

| years5 = 2012–2013

| clubs5 = → Lokomotiva (loan)

| caps5 = 22

| goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2013–2015

| clubs6 = → Široki Brijeg (loan)

| caps6 = 56

| goals6 = 13

| years7 = 2015–2016

| clubs7 = → Zrinjski Mostar (loan)

| caps7 = 26

| goals7 = 7

| years8 = 2016

| clubs8 = → Slaven Belupo (loan)

| caps8 = 7

| goals8 = 0

| years9 = 2017–2018

| clubs9 = Željezničar

| caps9 = 44

| goals9 = 14

| years10 = 2018–2019

| clubs10 = Partizan

| caps10 = 29

| goals10 = 4

| years11 = 2019–2020

| clubs11 = Universitatea Craiova

| caps11 = 10

| goals11 = 0

| years12 = 2020–2022

| clubs12 = Borac Banja Luka

| caps12 = 51

| goals12 = 14

| years13 = 2022

| clubs13 = Ohod Medina

| caps13 =

| goals13 =

| years14 = 2022

| clubs14 = Borac Banja Luka

| caps14 = 16

| goals14 = 1

| years15 = 2023

| clubs15 = Zadar

| caps15 = 13

| goals15 = 13

| years16 = 2023–2024

| clubs16 = Aiolikos

| caps16 = 28

| goals16 = 5

| years17 = 2024–

| clubs17 = Vardar

| caps17 = 30

| goals17 = 11

| nationalyears1 = 2010

| nationalteam1 = Bosnia and Herzegovina U19

| nationalcaps1 = 5

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 2011–2013

| nationalteam2 = Bosnia and Herzegovina U21

| nationalcaps2 = 13

| nationalgoals2 = 1

| nationalyears3 = 2014–2019

| nationalteam3 = Bosnia and Herzegovina

| nationalcaps3 = 11

| nationalgoals3 = 0

| club-update = 1 June 2025

| nationalteam-update = 23 March 2019

}}

Goran Zakarić ({{IPA|bs|ɡǒran zǎkaritɕ}}; born 7 November 1992) is a Bosnian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Macedonian First Football League club FK Vardar.

Zakarić started his professional career at Kozara Gradiška, before joining Široki Brijeg in 2010. The following year, he moved to Dinamo Zagreb. His spell with the club was marked by many loans, until he eventually settled at Željezničar in 2017. A year later, he switched to Partizan. One year after, he signed with Universitatea Craiova. The following year, he joined Borac Banja Luka. After parting ways with Borac Banja Luka, Zakarić has, in a surprise move, decided to join HNK Zadar, a club that competes in the fourth tier of the Croatian football pyramid.

A former youth international for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zakarić made his senior international debut in 2014, earning 11 caps since.

Club career

=Early career=

Zakarić started playing football at his hometown club Kozara Gradiška, whose youth setup he joined in 2001. He made his professional debut in 2009 at the age of 16.{{cite news|url=https://nezavisne.com/sport/fudbal/Goran-Zakaric-na-utakmicama-i-u-zivotu-pun-duha/275675|title=Goran Zakarić na utakmicama i u životu pun duha|website=nezavisne.com|date=30 November 2014|access-date=1 December 2014|language=bs|archive-date=24 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824101918/http://www.nezavisne.com/sport/fudbal/Goran-Zakaric-na-utakmicama-i-u-zivotu-pun-duha/275675|url-status=live}}

In June 2010, he joined Široki Brijeg.{{cite news|url=https://sportsport.ba/fudbal/goran-zakaric-u-sirokom-brijegu/38276|title=Goran Zakarić u Širokom Brijegu|website=sportsport.ba|date=18 June 2010|access-date=20 June 2010|language=bs|archive-date=3 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103235529/https://sportsport.ba/fudbal/goran-zakaric-u-sirokom-brijegu/38276|url-status=live}} On 31 July, he scored his first professional goal against Borac Banja Luka.{{cite news|url=https://radiosarajevo.ba/sport/nogomet/siroki-slavio-u-banja-luci/30819|title=Široki slavio u Banja Luci|website=radiosarajevo.ba|date=31 July 2010|access-date=1 August 2010|language=bs|archive-date=4 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104001053/https://www.radiosarajevo.ba/sport/nogomet/siroki-slavio-u-banja-luci/30819|url-status=live}}

On 16 May 2011, he signed a seven-year contract with Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb.{{cite news|url=https://sportsport.ba/fudbal/goran-zakaric-sedam-godina-u-dinamu/57066|title=Goran Zakarić sedam godina u Dinamu|website=sportsport.ba|date=16 May 2011|access-date=19 May 2011|language=bs|archive-date=10 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910204510/https://sportsport.ba/fudbal/goran-zakaric-sedam-godina-u-dinamu/57066|url-status=live}} However, his spell with the team was marked by many loans, and he never got first-team opportunity.{{cite news|url=https://scsport.ba/klub-iz-regiona-zeli-dovesti-fudbalera-zeljeznicara|title=Goran Zakarić na meti Olimpije iz Ljubljane|website=scsport.ba|date=26 April 2018|access-date=28 April 2018|language=bs|archive-date=10 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810142503/http://scsport.ba/klub-iz-regiona-zeli-dovesti-fudbalera-zeljeznicara/|url-status=dead}}

=Željezničar=

In January 2017, Zakarić moved to Željezničar on a two-year deal.{{cite news|url=https://klix.ba/sport/nogomet/zvanicno-goran-zakaric-potpisao-za-fk-zeljeznicar/170110106|title=Zvanično: Goran Zakarić potpisao za Željezničar|website=klix.ba|date=10 January 2017|access-date=13 January 2017|language=bs|archive-date=24 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824134955/https://www.klix.ba/sport/nogomet/zvanicno-goran-zakaric-potpisao-za-fk-zeljeznicar/170110106|url-status=live}} On 26 February, he debuted for the side in an away win over Krupa.{{cite news|url=https://klix.ba/sport/nogomet/zeljeznicar-golom-lendrica-odnio-sva-tri-boda-iz-krupe/170226050|title=Željezničar golom Lendrića odnio sva tri boda iz Krupe|website=klix.ba|date=26 February 2017|access-date=27 February 2017|language=bs|archive-date=24 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824135100/https://www.klix.ba/sport/nogomet/zeljeznicar-golom-lendrica-odnio-sva-tri-boda-iz-krupe/170226050|url-status=live}} He scored his first goal with Željezničar against Radnik Bijeljina on 18 March.{{cite news|url=https://klix.ba/sport/nogomet/zeljeznicar-golovima-zakarica-i-lendrica-pobijedio-radnik/170318059|title=Željezničar golovima Zakarića i Lendrića pobijedio Radnik|website=klix.ba|date=18 March 2017|access-date=20 March 2017|language=bs|archive-date=24 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824135016/https://www.klix.ba/sport/nogomet/zeljeznicar-golovima-zakarica-i-lendrica-pobijedio-radnik/170318059|url-status=live}}

On 18 April 2018, he scored his first career hat-trick against Sloboda Tuzla.{{cite news|url=https://oslobodjenje.ba/vijesti/sport/nogomet/zeljo-deklasirao-slobodu-u-tuzli-zakaric-postigao-hat-trick-357472|title=Željezničar deklasirao Slobodu u Tuzli, Zakarić postigao hat-trick|website=oslobodjenje.ba|date=18 April 2018|access-date=20 April 2018|language=bs|archive-date=3 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103235535/https://www.oslobodjenje.ba/vijesti/sport/nogomet/zeljo-deklasirao-slobodu-u-tuzli-zakaric-postigao-hat-trick-357472|url-status=live}}

Zakarić won his first trophy with the club on 9 May, by triumphing over Krupa in Bosnian Cup final.{{cite news|url=https://klix.ba/sport/nogomet/zeljeznicar-nakon-sest-godina-osvojio-kup-bosne-i-hercegovine/180509126|title=Željezničar nakon šest godina osvojio Kup Bosne i Hercegovine|website=klix.ba|date=9 May 2018|access-date=12 May 2018|language=bs|archive-date=28 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128122337/https://www.klix.ba/sport/nogomet/zeljeznicar-nakon-sest-godina-osvojio-kup-bosne-i-hercegovine/180509126|url-status=live}} Later that month, Zakarić was voted as best player in the league for the past season.{{cite news|url=https://radiosarajevo.ba/sport/nogomet/goran-zakaric-najbolji-igrac-premijer-lige-sliskovic-najbolji-trener/299977|title=Goran Zakarić najbolji igrač Premijer lige BiH, Pirić golman, Slišković trener|website=klix.ba|date=14 May 2018|access-date=15 May 2018|language=bs|archive-date=7 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207123826/https://radiosarajevo.ba/sport/nogomet/goran-zakaric-najbolji-igrac-premijer-lige-sliskovic-najbolji-trener/299977|url-status=live}}

=Partizan=

After lengthy negotiations, Zakarić was transferred to Serbian side Partizan for a fee of €150,000 in August 2018.{{cite news|url=https://sportsport.ba/fudbal/goran-zakaric-novi-igrac-partizana/285517|title=Goran Zakarić novi igrač Partizana!|website=sportsport.ba|date=3 August 2018|access-date=5 August 2018|language=bs|archive-date=3 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803163525/https://sportsport.ba/fudbal/goran-zakaric-novi-igrac-partizana/285517|url-status=live}} He scored on his competitive debut for the team, in UEFA Europa League qualifier against Nordsjælland.{{cite news|url=https://reprezentacija.ba/257734-goran-zakaric-zabio-u-svom-prvom-zvanicnom-mecu-za-partizan|title=Goran Zakarić zabio u svom prvom zvaničnom meču za Partizan|website=reprezentacija.ba|date=9 August 2018|access-date=10 August 2018|language=bs|archive-date=7 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207123829/https://reprezentacija.ba/257734-goran-zakaric-zabio-u-svom-prvom-zvanicnom-mecu-za-partizan|url-status=live}} On 12 August, he made his league debut in a victory over Zemun.{{cite news|url=https://sportsport.ba/fudbal/partizan-minimalno-slavio-zakaricu-poluvrijeme-i-zuti-karton/286487|title=Partizan minimalno slavio, Zakariću poluvrijeme i žuti karton|website=sportsport.ba|date=12 August 2018|access-date=14 August 2018|language=bs|archive-date=12 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180812214128/https://sportsport.ba/fudbal/partizan-minimalno-slavio-zakaricu-poluvrijeme-i-zuti-karton/286487|url-status=live}} In a game against Voždovac on 5 October, he scored a brace, which were his first league goals for Partizan.{{cite news|url=https://sportsport.ba/fudbal/partizan-na-krilima-zakarica-do-uvjerljive-pobjede/292304|title=Partizan na krilima Zakarića do uvjerljive pobjede|website=sportsport.ba|date=5 October 2018|access-date=6 October 2018|language=bs|archive-date=6 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006000731/https://sportsport.ba/fudbal/partizan-na-krilima-zakarica-do-uvjerljive-pobjede/292304|url-status=live}} Zakarić won his first trophy with the club on 23 May 2019, by beating city rivals Red Star Belgrade in Serbian Cup final.{{cite news|url=https://sportsport.ba/fudbal/nista-od-duple-krune-partizan-pobijedio-zvezdu-i-osvojio-kup-srbije/319933|title=Ništa od duple krune: Partizan pobijedio Zvezdu i osvojio Kup Srbije|website=sportsport.ba|date=23 May 2019|access-date=23 May 2019|language=bs|archive-date=23 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523202220/https://sportsport.ba/fudbal/nista-od-duple-krune-partizan-pobijedio-zvezdu-i-osvojio-kup-srbije/319933|url-status=live}}

On 6 September 2019, Zakarić and Partizan agreed to rescind his contract.{{cite news|url=https://scsport.ba/na-novi-angazman-ce-morati-sacekati-do-januara-zakaric-raskinuo-ugovor-s-partizanom|title=Zakarić raskinuo ugovor s Partizanom, na novi angažman će morati sačekati do januara|website=scsport.ba|date=6 September 2019|access-date=6 September 2019|language=bs|archive-date=7 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207123833/https://scsport.ba/na-novi-angazman-ce-morati-sacekati-do-januara-zakaric-raskinuo-ugovor-s-partizanom|url-status=live}}

=Later career stage=

File:Goran Zakaric 04.jpg in 2020]]

On 8 October 2019, Zakarić signed a four-year deal with Romanian outfit Universitatea Craiova.{{cite news|url=https://scsport.ba/konacno-stigao-zeleni-karton-iz-fifa-e-goran-zakaric-potpisao-dugogodisnji-ugovor|title=Konačno stigao zeleni karton iz FIFA-e: Goran Zakarić potpisao dugogodišnji ugovor|website=scsport.ba|date=8 October 2019|access-date=10 October 2019|language=bs|archive-date=10 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010102701/https://scsport.ba/konacno-stigao-zeleni-karton-iz-fifa-e-goran-zakaric-potpisao-dugogodisnji-ugovor/|url-status=dead}}

In February 2020, he joined Borac Banja Luka on a one-year contract.{{cite news|url=https://sport1.oslobodjenje.ba/premijer-liga-bih/potvrdeno-pisanje-naseg-portala-goran-zakaric-novi-igrac-borca/180719|title=Goran Zakarić novi igrač Borca!|website=oslobodjenje.ba|date=5 February 2020|access-date=5 February 2020|language=bs|archive-date=5 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205210616/https://sport1.oslobodjenje.ba/premijer-liga-bih/potvrdeno-pisanje-naseg-portala-goran-zakaric-novi-igrac-borca/180719|url-status=live}} On 6 August 2020, Zakarić extended his contract with Borac.{{cite news|url=https://sportsport.ba/fudbal/oprostajni-poklon-vice-zeljkovica-za-fk-borac-novi-ugovor-goranu-zakaricu/370945|title=Oproštajni poklon Vice Zeljkovića za FK Borac: Novi ugovor Goranu Zakariću|website=sportsport.ba|date=6 August 2020|access-date=6 August 2020|language=bs|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930164316/https://sportsport.ba/fudbal/oprostajni-poklon-vice-zeljkovica-za-fk-borac-novi-ugovor-goranu-zakaricu/370945|url-status=live}} He won his first trophy with Borac on 23 May 2021, getting crowned Bosnian Premier League champions one game before the end of the 2020–21 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.klix.ba/sport/nogomet/borac-nakon-10-godina-postao-prvak-bosne-i-hercegovine-u-nogometu/210523074|title=Borac nakon 10 godina postao prvak Bosne i Hercegovine u nogometu|date=23 May 2021|access-date=23 May 2021|language=bs|author=N.K.|publisher=Klix.ba|archive-date=23 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523181235/https://www.klix.ba/sport/nogomet/borac-nakon-10-godina-postao-prvak-bosne-i-hercegovine-u-nogometu/210523074|url-status=live}}

On 27 January 2022, Zakarić joined Saudi Arabian club Ohod.{{cite web |title=البوسني زكاريتش "أحدي" |url=https://twitter.com/OHOD1936/status/1486761146459869185 |access-date=28 January 2022 |archive-date=28 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128162823/https://twitter.com/OHOD1936/status/1486761146459869185 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Kako nam je najavio, Zakarić stigao u Saudijsku Arabiju |url=https://reprezentacija.ba/349067-goran-zakaric-zvanicno-na-bliskom-istoku-ocekuje-ga-borba-za-vrh-tabel |access-date=28 January 2022 |archive-date=28 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128162823/https://reprezentacija.ba/349067-goran-zakaric-zvanicno-na-bliskom-istoku-ocekuje-ga-borba-za-vrh-tabel |url-status=live }}

International career

Zakarić represented Bosnia and Herzegovina on various youth levels.{{cite news|url=https://sportsport.ba/fudbal/musa-zakaric-je-zasluzio-poziv-u-a-reprezentaciju/130272|title=Musa: Zakarić je zaslužio poziv u seniorsku reprezentaciju|website=sportsport.ba|date=2 May 2014|access-date=4 May 2014|language=bs|archive-date=9 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809025028/https://sportsport.ba/fudbal/musa-zakaric-je-zasluzio-poziv-u-a-reprezentaciju/130272|url-status=live}}

In August 2014, he received his first senior call-up, for games against Liechtenstein and Cyprus.{{cite news|url=https://reprezentacija.ba/12968-cetiri-debitanta-na-susicevom-spisku-za-predstojece-duele|title=Četiri debitanta na Sušićevom spisku za predstojeće duele|website=reprezentacija.ba|date=22 August 2014|access-date=23 August 2014|language=bs|archive-date=17 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817095333/https://reprezentacija.ba/12968-cetiri-debitanta-na-susicevom-spisku-za-predstojece-duele|url-status=live}} Zakarić debuted in convincing friendly triumph over former on 4 September.{{cite news|url=https://klix.ba/sport/nogomet/polozen-test-pred-kvalifikacije-zmajevi-razbili-lihtenstajn-u-tuzli-s-visokih-3-0/140904099|title=Položen test pred kvalifikacije: Zmajevi razbili Lihtenštajn u Tuzli s visokih 3:0|website=klix.ba|date=4 September 2014|access-date=6 September 2014|language=bs|archive-date=24 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824135049/https://www.klix.ba/sport/nogomet/polozen-test-pred-kvalifikacije-zmajevi-razbili-lihtenstajn-u-tuzli-s-visokih-3-0/140904099|url-status=live}}

Personal life

Zakarić married his long-time girlfriend Tanja in July 2016. They have two daughters, Amber and Lana.{{cite news|url=https://reprezentacija.ba/259870-goran-zakaric-po-drugi-put-postao-otac|title=Goran Zakarić po drugi put postao otac|website=reprezentacija.ba|date=10 September 2018|access-date=11 September 2018|language=sr|archive-date=10 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010102653/https://reprezentacija.ba/259870-goran-zakaric-po-drugi-put-postao-otac|url-status=live}}

Career statistics

=Club=

{{updated|match played 29 August 2021.}}{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/goran-zakaric/139528|title=G. Zakarić|website=soccerway.com|access-date=29 August 2021|archive-date=1 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401104515/https://int.soccerway.com/players/goran-zakaric/139528/|url-status=live}}

rowspan=2\|Club !rowspan=2\|Season !colspan=3\|League !colspan=2\|Cup !colspan=2\|Continental !colspan=2\|Total
class=wikitable style="text-align: center"
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan=3\|Široki Brijeg \|2010–11 \|Bosnian Premier League \|24	5	5	1	0	0	29	6
2011–12 (loan) \|Bosnian Premier League \|21	4	7	0	2	0	30	4
colspan=2\|Total !45	9	12	1	2	0	59	10
Lokomotiva (loan) \|2012–13 \|1. HNL \|22	0	6	1	colspan=2\|–	28	1
rowspan=3\|Široki Brijeg (loan) \|2013–14 \|Bosnian Premier League \|28	9	6	1	4	0	38	10
2014–15 \|Bosnian Premier League \|28	4	9	1	4	2	41	7
colspan=2\|Total !56	13	15	2	8	2	79	17
Zrinjski Mostar (loan) \|2015–16 \|Bosnian Premier League \|26	7	1	0	2	0	29	7
Slaven Belupo (loan) \|2016–17 \|1. HNL \|7	0	0	0	colspan=2\|–	7	0
rowspan=3\|Željezničar \|2016–17 \|Bosnian Premier League \|14	2	3	0	colspan=2\|–	17	2
2017–18 \|Bosnian Premier League \|30	12	8	5	4	1	42	18
colspan=2\|Total !44	14	11	5	4	1	59	20
Partizan \|2018–19 \|Serbian SuperLiga \|29	4	3	2	4	1	36	7
Universitatea Craiova \|2019–20 \|Liga I \|10	0	0	0	colspan=2\|–	10	0
rowspan=4\|Borac Banja Luka \|2019–20 \|Bosnian Premier League \|3	1	1	0	colspan=2\|–	4	1
2020–21 \|Bosnian Premier League \|30	12	5	2	2	0	37	14
2021–22 \|Bosnian Premier League \|18	1	0	0	4	0	22	1
colspan=2\|Total !51	14	6	2	6	0	63	16
Borac Banja Luka \|2022–23 \|Bosnian Premier League \|16	1	0	0	1	0	17	1
colspan=3\|Career total !306	62	54	13	27	4	387	79

=International=

{{updated|match played 23 March 2019.}}{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=28778|title=Goran Zakarić|website=eu-football.info|access-date=23 March 2019|archive-date=28 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328142407/https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=28778|url-status=live}}