Zinedin Smajlović

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Zinedin Smajlović

| image =

| fullname =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2003|12|20|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Stockholm, Sweden

| height = 1.91 m

| position = Defender

| currentclub = Sandefjord

| clubnumber = 2

| youthyears1 = –2019

| youthclubs1 = FC Djursholm

| youthyears2 = 2020

| youthclubs2 = IFK Stocksund

| youthyears3 = 2021

| youthclubs3 = IK Frej

| youthyears4 = 2022

| youthclubs4 = IF Brommapojkarna

| years1 = 2023

| clubs1 = Täby FK

| caps1 = 13

| goals1 = 5

| years2 = 2023–2024

| clubs2 = Lecce

| caps2 = 0

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2024

| clubs3 = → Lecco (loan)

| caps3 = 0

| goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2024

| clubs4 = Sandviken

| caps4 = 10

| goals4 = 2

| years5 = 2025–

| clubs5 = Sandefjord

| caps5 = 0

| goals5 = 0

| nationalyears1 = 2023

| nationalteam1 = Sweden U21

| nationalcaps1 = 3

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| club-update = 5 January 2025

| ntupdate = 17:01, 16 October 2024 (UTC)

}}

Zinedin Smajlović (born 20 December 2003) is a Swedish footballer who plays as a defender for Eliteserien club Sandefjord.

Early life

Smajlović was named after France international Zinedine Zidane.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/fotboll/a/pQ2ngX/zinedin-smajlovic-bytte-till-svenska-landslaget-gor-raketkarriar|title=Zinedin Smajlovic om bytet till Sverige: "Jättestolt"|date=11 October 2023 |publisher=aftonbladet.se}}

He played youth football for multiple clubs; FC Djursholm, IFK Stocksund; IK Frej and IF Brommapojkarna.{{WorldFootball.net|zinedin-smajlovic}}

Career

On 19 July 2023, Smajlović signed for Italian Serie A side Lecce.{{Cite press release|url=https://www.uslecce.it/news/298598174214/smajlovic-e-un-calciatore-del-lecce|title=Smajlovic è un calciatore del Lecce|publisher=Lecce|date=19 July 2023|language=it}} On 18 January 2024, he joined Serie B side Lecco on loan.{{Cite press release|url=https://calciolecco1912.com/ufficiale-arriva-smajlovic-a-titolo-temporaneo/|title=Ufficiale: arriva Smajlovic a titolo temporaneo|publisher=Lecco|date=18 January 2024|language=it}} On 26 August 2024, Smajlović's contract with Lecce was terminated by mutual consent.{{cite web|publisher=Lecce|url=https://www.uslecce.it/news/408522493446/risoluzione-consensuale-con-smajlovic|title=Risoluzione consensuale con Smajlović|work=U.S. Lecce |trans-title=Mutual resolution with Smajlović|date=26 August 2024|access-date=26 August 2024|language=it}}

Style of play

Smajlović mainly operated as a defender and has been described as "seems to be a defender with a habit of scoring , and who can well operate alongside players who are more experienced than him but who still make physical prowess their strong point".{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportdelsud.it/news/18/07/2023/lecce-pronto-il-colpo-alla-corvino-chi-e-zinedin-smajlovic/|title=Chi è Zinedin Smajlovic?|date=18 July 2023 |publisher=sportdelsud.it|language=it}}

Personal life

Smajlović is of Bosnia and Herzegovina descent.{{Cite web|url=https://avaz.ba/sport/nogomet/844657/zinedin-smajlovic-za-avaz-moje-srce-kuca-za-bih-uzori-su-mi-dzeko-i-pjanic|title=Zinedin Smajlović za "Avaz": Moje srce kuca za BiH, uzori su mi Džeko i Pjanić|date=19 July 2023 |publisher=avaz.ba}}