Miha Zajc
{{short description|Slovenian footballer (born 1994)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Miha Zajc
| image = Zajc (cropped).jpg
| caption = Zajc playing for Slovenia in 2021
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1994|07|01|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Šempeter pri Gorici, Slovenia{{cite web|url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/63460/Miha_Zajc.html|title=Zajc, Miha|publisher=National Football Teams|access-date=6 June 2018}}
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub = Toulouse
(on loan from Fenerbahçe)
| clubnumber = 21
| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2009
| youthclubs1 = Bilje
| youthyears2 = 2009–2012
| youthclubs2 = Interblock
| youthyears3 = 2012
| youthclubs3 = Olimpija Ljubljana
| years1 = 2012
| clubs1 = Interblock
| caps1 = 5
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2012–2014
| clubs2 = Bravo
| caps2 = 0
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2012
| clubs3 = → Olimpija Ljubljana (loan)
| caps3 = 1
| goals3 = 2
| years4 = 2013–2014
| clubs4 = → Celje (loan)
| caps4 = 51
| goals4 = 2
| years5 = 2014–2017
| clubs5 = Olimpija Ljubljana
| caps5 = 70
| goals5 = 16
| years6 = 2017–2019
| clubs6 = Empoli
| caps6 = 66
| goals6 = 12
| years7 = 2019–
| clubs7 = Fenerbahçe
| caps7 = 86
| goals7 = 15
| years8 = 2020–2021
| clubs8 = → Genoa (loan)
| caps8 = 31
| goals8 = 1
| years9 = 2024–
| clubs9 = → Toulouse (loan)
| caps9 = 19
| goals9 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2010
| nationalteam1 = Slovenia U17{{efn|name=uefa|Official competitive UEFA matches only.}}
| nationalcaps1 = 2
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2012
| nationalteam2 = Slovenia U19{{efn|name=uefa}}
| nationalcaps2 = 3
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2013
| nationalteam3 = Slovenia U20
| nationalcaps3 = 1
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalyears4 = 2013–2016
| nationalteam4 = Slovenia U21
| nationalcaps4 = 10
| nationalgoals4 = 1
| nationalyears5 = 2016–
| nationalteam5 = Slovenia
| nationalcaps5 = 39
| nationalgoals5 = 8
| nationalyears6 = 2017
| nationalteam6 = Slovenia B
| nationalcaps6 = 2
| nationalgoals6 = 0
| club-update = 4 May 2025
| nationalteam-update = 17 November 2023
}}
Miha Zajc (born 1 July 1994) is a Slovenian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Ligue 1 club Toulouse, on loan from Fenerbahçe, and the Slovenia national team.{{cite web | url = https://int.soccerway.com/players/miha-zajc/162554/ | title = Slovenia – M. Zajc – Profile with news, career statistics and history | publisher = Soccerway | access-date = 17 May 2014 }}
Club career
=Interblock=
Zajc was born in Šempeter pri Gorici.{{cite web |title=VIDEO: Miha Zajc - nov biser iz Šempetra pri Gorici |url=https://www.24ur.com/sport/nogomet/video-miha-zajc-nov-biser-iz-sempetra-pri-gorici.html |website=24ur.com |access-date=22 July 2021 |language=sl |date=19 April 2015}} As a youngster, he played in the youth selections of Interblock from the capital of Ljubljana.{{cite web|url=https://www.toro.it/calciomercato/chi-e-miha-zajc/1193173/|title=Torino, chi è Miha Zajc: ex Empoli e Genoa, ora in Turchia|website=Toro.it|access-date=22 July 2021|language=it}} He made his senior debut on 3 March 2012 against Dravinja{{cite web |title=Interblock vs. Dravinja – 3 March 2012 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2012/03/03/slovenia/2-snl/nk-interblock-ljubljana/nd-dravinja/1130240/ |publisher=Soccerway |access-date=22 July 2021}} and made a total of five league appearances in his first and last year at Interblock.
==Loan to Olimpija and Celje==
In summer 2012 Zajc moved to Olimpija Ljubljana. He played only one game with the club, against Mura 05 in the Slovenian PrvaLiga, where he scored two goals in a 3–1 victory. Zajc moved on loan to Celje in January 2013. He made his league debut with Celje on 2 March 2013, starting the match in a 0–0 draw against Gorica.{{cite web |title=Miha Zajc » PrvaLiga 2012/2013 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/miha-zajc/svn-prva-liga-2012-2013/nk-celje/3/ |website=worldfootball.net |access-date=22 July 2021 }} The loan was also confirmed for the following season, after which he scored his first goal on 30 October 2013, in a 3–1 home defeat against Rudar Velenje during the second leg of the quarter-finals of the Slovenian Cup.{{cite web |title=Miha Zajc – sezona 2013/14 |url=https://www.nzs.si/tekmovanja/?action=igralec&id_igralca=69795&id_tekmovanja=30&id_kluba= |publisher=Football Association of Slovenia |access-date=22 July 2021 |language=sl}} On 12 April 2014 he scored his first goal in the Slovenian PrvaLiga with Celje, scoring the team's second goal in a 2–0 home win over Triglav Kranj.{{cite web |title=Miha Zajc » PrvaLiga 2013/2014 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/miha-zajc/svn-1-snl-2013-2014/nk-celje/3/ |website=worldfootball.net |access-date=22 July 2021 }}
=Olimpija Ljubljana=
Zajc returned to Olimpija on a permanent basis in August 2014, signing a three-year contract.{{cite web |title=Miha Zajc podpisal triletno pogodbo |url=https://old.delo.si/sport/nogomet/miha-zajc-podpisal-triletno-pogodbo.html |website=Delo |access-date=30 May 2023 |language=sl-si |date=12 August 2014}} He made his second debut for Olimpija on 16 August 2014 in a 2–0 league victory against Rudar Velenje.{{cite web |title=Miha Zajc » PrvaLiga 2014/2015 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/miha-zajc/svn-1-snl-2014-2015/olimpija-ljubljana/3/ |website=worldfootball.net |access-date=22 July 2021 }} With Olimpija, he won the 2015–16 PrvaLiga title.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}} His last season with the club was the 2016–17 season, in which he scored 7 goals before leaving the club in the winter transfer window.{{cite web|url=https://www.gazzetta.it/calcio/fantanews/25-01-2017/fantacalcio-empoli-zajc-colpo-sorpresa-occhio-che-sa-far-gol-magic-campionato-180556585082.shtml|title=Fantacalcio, Empoli: Zajc il colpo a sorpresa? Occhio che sa far gol...|website=Gazzetta dello Sport|access-date=22 July 2021|language=it}} In his three seasons with Olimpija, he made 70 appearances and collected 16 goals in the Slovenian PrvaLiga.{{cite web |title=Miha Zajc » Club matches |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/miha-zajc/2/ |website=worldfootball.net |access-date=22 July 2021 }}
=Empoli=
Zajc moved to Empoli on 25 January 2017, and signed a four-year contract.{{cite web|url=http://www.empolicalcio.net/Acquistato-il-centrocampista-Zajc-dall-Olimpia-Lubiana.htm|title=Acquistato il centrocampista Zajc: domani la presentazione|date=25 January 2017|access-date=22 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202030437/http://www.empolicalcio.net/Acquistato-il-centrocampista-Zajc-dall-Olimpia-Lubiana.htm|archive-date=2 February 2017|language=it|website=empolicalcio.net}} He debuted in Serie A on 29 January in a 4–1 defeat against Crotone.{{cite web |title=Miha Zajc » Serie A 2016/2017 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/miha-zajc/ita-serie-a-2016-2017/empoli-fc/3/ |website=worldfootball.net |access-date=22 July 2021 }} In his first season, he made five appearances and scored one goal in Serie A. However, Empoli was relegated to Serie B at the end of the season. Zajc made 41 appearances in the 2017–18 Serie B season, scoring 8 goals and as many as 14 assists, making a fundamental contribution to Empoli's return to Serie A.{{cite web|url=https://www.fantacalcio.it/consigli-fantacalcio/23_09_2020/miha-zajc-genoa-perche-comprarlo-e-perche-no-al-fantacalcio-392825|title=Miha Zajc, Genoa: perché comprarlo (e perché no) al Fantacalcio|website=fantacalcio.it|access-date=22 July 2021|language=it}} In the following season, Zajc played 20 games in the 2018–19 Serie A with the Tuscan club, scoring 3 goals and providing 2 assists.{{cite web |title=Miha Zajc » Serie A 2018/2019 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/miha-zajc/ita-serie-a-2018-2019/empoli-fc/3/ |website=worldfootball.net |access-date=22 July 2021 }}{{cite web |language=it|title=Miha Zajc, scheda fantacalcio: i consigli per l'asta|url=https://www.fantamaster.it/miha-zajc-scheda-fantacalcio-consigli-asta-2020-21/ |website=FantaMaster |access-date=22 July 2021|date=14 September 2020}} However, Zajc did not finish the season with Empoli as he changed the club in the winter transfer window.
=Fenerbahçe=
Zajc moved to Fenerbahçe in the midst of the 2018–19 season, making 10 appearances in the 2018–19 Süper Lig.{{cite web |title=Miha Zajc » SüperLig 2018/2019 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/miha-zajc/tur-sueperlig-2018-2019/fenerbahce/3/ |website=worldfootball.net |access-date=22 July 2021 }} That year Fenerbahçe reached the round of 32 in the UEFA Europa League, and finished sixth in the national championship. In the next season, in which he suffered an ankle ligaments injury, Zajc played only 17 games with Fenerbahçe, scoring two goals.
During the 2021–22 season, Fenerbahçe had managerial changes. First under Vitor Pereira and then especially under İsmail Kartal, Zajc solidified his starter role. He started to find more time in first team than in his first two seasons and became one of the key players along with Miguel Crespo.{{cite web |title=Miguel Crespo & Miha Zajc: Fenerbahçe yıllardır aradığı orta saha ikilisini buldu mu? |url=https://www.goal.com/tr/haber/yorum-veya-miguel-crespo-ve-miha-zajc-fenerbahce-yillardir-aradigi-orta-saha-ikilisini-buldu-mu/blt17f01a74ecfc1663 |website=Goal.com |access-date=31 July 2023|language=tr|date=11 April 2022}} He consistently earned and played full 90-minute matches, showcasing his progress and scored 9 goals in 41 matches across all competitions.{{cite web |title=Ve Miha Zajc transferi gerçekleşiyor; işte sözleşme detayları |url=https://www.ntvspor.net/foto-galeri/ve-miha-zajc-transferi-gerceklesiyor-iste-sozlesme-detaylari-648c12f1e160ea0048794b88 |website=NTVSpor |language=tr|date=16 June 2023|access-date=31 July 2023}}
On 31 July 2023, Zajc signed a new contract with Fenerbahçe until 2026 after his previous contract expired.{{cite web |title=Edin Džeko, Dušan Tadić in ... Miha Zajc! Balkanska naveza je popolna, Zajc se je danes uradno vrnil v klub |url=https://www.nogomania.com/Novica/Edin-Dzeko-Dusan-Tadic-in-Miha-Zajc-Balkanska-naveza-je-popolna-Zajc-se-je-danes-uradno-vrnil-v-klub |publisher=Nogomania |access-date=31 July 2023 |language=sl |date=31 July 2023}}
==Loan to Genoa==
Zajc moved to Italian side Genoa in September 2020, on a one-year loan. With Genoa he reached the round of 16 in the 2020–21 Coppa Italia, and placed eleventh in the 2020–21 Serie A. Zajc made 31 league appearances during the season, provided 3 assists and also scored one goal, against Bologna on 9 January 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Genoa/28-02-2021/intervista-zajc-genoa-senza-paura-4001057841789_preview.shtml|title=Zajc: "Cuore, identità e mediana. Il Genoa senza paura se la gioca con i più forti"|website=Gazzetta dello Sport|access-date=22 July 2021|language=it}}{{cite web|url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Genoa/09-01-2021/genoa-bologna-2-0-gol-zajc-destro-3902356544660.shtml|title=Colpo Genoa: Zajc e Destro stendono il Bologna|website=Gazzetta dello Sport|access-date=22 July 2021|language=it}}{{cite web|url=https://www.calciomercato.com/news/genoa-zajc-ha-convinto-verra-riscattato-39981|title=Genoa, Zajc ha convinto: verrà riscattato|website=CalcioMercato.com|access-date=23 July 2021|language=it|date=14 May 2021}} During his time at Genoa he contributed to the club's positive performances in Serie A, especially with his assists.
==Loan to Toulouse==
On 31 August 2024, he went on a season-long loan to French Ligue 1 side Toulouse.{{cite web |title=Miha Zajc iz Turčije v Toulouse |url=https://www.24ur.com/sport/nogomet/miha-zajc-iz-turcije-v-toulouse.html |website=24ur.com |access-date=12 September 2024 |language=sl |date=31 August 2024}}
International career
Between 2009 and 2016, Zajc played for Slovenia at all youth international levels from under-16 to under-21.{{cite web |title=Miha Zajc – Nogometna zveza Slovenije |url=https://www.nzs.si/reprezentanca/default.asp?id_igralca=69795&id_selekcije=10&id_menu=8 |publisher=Football Association of Slovenia |access-date=22 July 2021 |language=sl}} In March 2016, he debuted for the senior team during a friendly match against Macedonia.{{cite web |title=Miha Zajc, international footballer |url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=29278 |website=eu-football.info |access-date=22 July 2021 }}
Style of play
Zajc is a trequartista who can be employed behind one or two strikers, and can also play as a central midfielder.{{cite web|website=Corriere dello Sport|url=https://www.corrieredellosport.it/news/calcio/calcio-mercato/2017/01/25-20553691/calciomercato_empoli_colpo_zajc_blindato_fino_al_2021?cookieAccept=|title=Calciomercato Empoli, colpo Zajc: blindato fino al 2021|date=26 January 2017|access-date=22 July 2021|language=it}} When needed he has also played as a deep-lying playmaker and left midfielder. He is considered a very technical player, and among his qualities are his set pieces ability and ability to defend the ball.{{cite web|url=https://www.alfredopedulla.com/esclusiva-empoli-missione-asorpresa-lo-sloveno-zajc/|title=Esclusiva: Empoli, missione a sorpresa per lo sloveno Zajc|date=20 January 2017|access-date=22 July 2021|language=it|website=alfredopedulla.com}} Zajc is endowed with tactical vision and strategic planning.{{cite web|url=https://www.mediagol.it/palermo/calciomercato-palermo-playmaker-cercasi-spunta-lidea-miha-zajc/|title=Calciomercato Palermo: playmaker cercasi, spunta l'idea Miha Zajc|date=1 August 2016|access-date=22 July 2021|language=it|website=mediagol.it}} He is a right footed, and also has good dribbling skills and a good long-range shot.{{Cite web|url=https://www.spaziocalcio.it/approfondimento/schede-giocatori/nuovi-stranieri-della-serie-miha-zajc-empoli/|title=I nuovi stranieri della Serie A: Miha Zajc (Empoli)|website=SpazioCalcio.it|date=26 January 2017|language=it|access-date=22 July 2021}}
Zajc has stated that he is inspired by Luka Modrić.{{cite web|url=https://www.pianetagenoa1893.net/interviste/zajc-giocare-con-badelj-e-strootman-e-bellissimo/|title=Zajc: «Giocare con Badelj e Strootman è...bellissimo»|website=Pianeta Genoa|access-date=22 July 2021|date=16 March 2021|language=it}}
Reception
After moving to Empoli, Zajc impressed with his performances in Italy, leading Empoli to its promotion to Serie A.{{cite web|url=https://www.contra-ataque.it/2018/03/07/zajc-empoli-decisivo.html|title=Miha Zajc, graffiante e decisivo. Ha stregato Empoli e la serie B|website=contra-ateque.it|access-date=23 July 2021|last= Mancini|first=Domenico|language=it}} A talented player, his continuity has sometimes been criticized.{{Cite web|url=https://sport.sky.it/fantacalcio/2020/09/17/nuovi-stranieri-da-acquistare-al-fantacalcio#11|title=Nuovi stranieri da acquistare al fantacalcio|publisher=Sky Sport|access-date=23 July 2021|language=it}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 3 May 2025}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes Slovenian Cup, Coppa Italia, Turkish Cup, Coupe de France}} !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Interblock
|5 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 5 | 0 | |||
| Olimpija Ljubljana (loan)
|1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | |
| rowspan="4"|Celje (loan)
|rowspan="3"|1. SNL |12 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 15 | 0 | ||
| 2013–14
|36 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 0 | 41 | 3 | |
| 2014–15
|3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!51 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 59 | 3 | |
| rowspan="4"|Olimpija Ljubljana
|rowspan="3"|1. SNL |19 | 4 | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 23 | 4 | ||
| 2015–16
|32 | 5 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 35 | 5 | ||
| 2016–17
|19 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 2{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in UEFA Champions League}} | 1 | 24 | 9 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!70 | 16 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 82 | 18 | |
| rowspan="4"|Empoli
|5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 5 | 1 | ||
| 2017–18
|41 | 8 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 42 | 8 | ||
| 2018–19
|Serie A |20 | 3 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 21 | 3 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!66 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 68 | 12 | |
| rowspan="6"|Fenerbahçe
|rowspan="5"|Süper Lig |10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 | |
| 2019–20
|10 | 1 | 7 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 17 | 2 | ||
| 2021–22
|32 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 8{{efn|Seven appearances in UEFA Europa League, one appearance in UEFA Europa Conference League}} | 0 | 41 | 9 | |
| 2022–23
|23 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 6{{efn|name=UEL}} | 1 | 34 | 5 | |
| 2023–24
|11 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League}} | 2 | 21 | 2 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!86 | 15 | 15 | 2 | 22 | 3 | 123 | 20 | |
| Genoa (loan)
|Serie A |31 | 1 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 33 | 1 | ||
| Toulouse (loan)
|19 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 22 | 0 | ||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!329 | 48 | 38 | 4 | 26 | 4 | 393 | 56 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|match played 17 November 2023}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="7"|Slovenia
|2016 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2018 | 8 | 3 | |
| 2019 | 8 | 2 | |
| 2020 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 7 | 2 | |
| 2022 | 6 | 1 | |
| 2023 | 4 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total||39||8 |
:Scores and results list Slovenia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Zajc goal.
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Miha Zajc | ||||||
| scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Opponent !scope="col"|Score !scope="col"|Result !scope="col"|Competition | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| align="center"|1 | 2 June 2018 | Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica, Montenegro | {{fb|MNE}} | align="center"|2–0 | align="center"|2–0 | Friendly |
| align="center"|2 | 6 September 2018 | Stožice Stadium, Ljubljana, Slovenia | {{fb|BUL}} | align="center"|1–1 | align="center"|1–2 | 2018–19 UEFA Nations League C |
| align="center"|3 | 19 November 2018 | Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria | {{fb|BUL}} | align="center"|1–1 | align="center"|1–1 | 2018–19 UEFA Nations League C |
| align="center"|4 | 24 March 2019 | Stožice Stadium, Ljubljana, Slovenia | {{fb|MKD}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|1–1 | UEFA Euro 2020 qualification |
| align="center"|5 | 10 June 2019 | Daugava Stadium, Riga, Latvia | {{fb|LVA}} | align="center"|5–0 | align="center"|5–0 | UEFA Euro 2020 qualification |
| align="center"|6 | 11 November 2021 | Anton Malatinský Stadium, Trnava, Slovakia | {{fb|Slovakia}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|2–2 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| align="center"|7 | 14 November 2021 | Stožice Stadium, Ljubljana, Slovenia | {{fb|Cyprus}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|2–1 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| align="center"|8 | 20 November 2022 | Stožice Stadium, Ljubljana, Slovenia | {{fb|MNE}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|1–0 | Friendly |
Honours
Olimpija Ljubljana
Empoli
Fenerbahçe
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.nzs.si/tekmovanja/?action=igralecStat&id_igralca=69795 Miha Zajc] at NZS {{in lang|sl}}
{{Toulouse FC squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Zajc, Miha}}
Category:Footballers from Šempeter pri Gorici
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Slovenian men's footballers
Category:21st-century Slovenian sportsmen
Category:Slovenia men's youth international footballers
Category:Slovenia men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Slovenia men's international footballers
Category:NK IB 1975 Ljubljana players
Category:NK Olimpija Ljubljana (2005) players
Category:Fenerbahçe S.K. footballers
Category:Slovenian Second League players
Category:Slovenian PrvaLiga players
Category:Slovenian expatriate men's footballers
Category:Slovenian expatriate sportspeople in Italy
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy
Category:Slovenian expatriate sportspeople in Turkey
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Turkey