Emir Spahic
Encyclopedia
Emir Spahić is a Bosnia
n football central defender
playing for Sevilla FC
in the Spanish
La Liga
and captains the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team
. He is naturally left footed but can play with either foot very well.
, Russia
n clubs Torpedo Moscow, Shinnik Yaroslavl and Lokomotiv Moscow
as well as Croatian sides NK Zagreb
and NK GOŠK Dubrovnik
. On 24 June 2009, Spahić announced that he will join the newly promoted Montpellier
squad for the 2009–10 Ligue 1
season. On his league debut against Paris Saint-Germain, he scored a header in the 94th minute for a 1–1 draw, which earned a point for the newly promoted club. He scored his second goal for Montpellier in a 2–2 draw against FC Lorient
. In January 2010, he extended his contract to June 2014.
In August 2010, Spahić personally spoke to Arsène Wenger
and agreed a transfer to Arsenal
, but Montpellier
demanded £25 million which Arsenal could not meet.
On 4 July 2011, Spahić agreed a transfer with Sevilla for 2 million euro
s. He will stay at the club until July 2014.
. On 7 June 2003, he made his debut as a substitute against Romania
at Stadionul Ion Oblemenco
in Craiova
. Ever since his debut, he has been an important member of the national team.
part of Sandžak
, but his father was born in Dubrovnik and his mother Fatima is from Gacko
in Bosnia and Herzegovina
. They were both working in Dubrovnik
, Croatia
, where they met and formed a family. Emir has two brothers: older Nermin and younger Alen
. Younger brother Alen
is also a football player. Spahić is a first cousin of fellow national team player Edin Džeko
.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
n football central defender
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
playing for Sevilla FC
Sevilla FC
Sevilla Fútbol Club S.A.D. is a Spanish professional football club based in Seville, Spain that plays in the Spanish La Liga championship.They are one of the most successful clubs in Spanish football having won a 1 La Liga title, 5 Spanish "Copa del Rey" Cups, 1 Spanish Super Cup and 2 UEFA...
in the Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
and captains the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team
Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team
The Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team is the national football team of Bosnia and Herzegovina, governed by the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina...
. He is naturally left footed but can play with either foot very well.
Career
Over the course of his career, Spahić played for NK Čelik ZenicaNK Celik Zenica
NK Čelik is a football club from Bosnia and Herzegovina, playing in the city of Zenica.The name Čelik means "Steel" in Bosnian - it is derived from Turkish çelik...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n clubs Torpedo Moscow, Shinnik Yaroslavl and Lokomotiv Moscow
FC Lokomotiv Moscow
The following years were rather successful as Lokomotiv were consistent in the national championships. However, performances after World War II suffered and actually in the space of five year Lokomotiv were relegated to the Soviet First League twice. In 1951, Lokomotiv came second and eventually...
as well as Croatian sides NK Zagreb
NK Zagreb
NK Zagreb is a Croatian football club, from the Croatian capital of Zagreb.NK Zagreb's home is the Stadion Kranjčevićeva with capacity of 8,850. The club's fans are known as the White Angels...
and NK GOŠK Dubrovnik
NK GOŠK Dubrovnik
NK GOŠK Dubrovnik is a Croatian football club based in the city of Dubrovnik. It takes its name from the Gruž neighbourhood of the city .-Team:...
. On 24 June 2009, Spahić announced that he will join the newly promoted Montpellier
Montpellier HSC
Montpellier Hérault Sport Club is a French association football club based in the city of Montpellier. The club was founded in 1919 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Montpellier plays its home matches at the Stade de la Mosson, located within the city...
squad for the 2009–10 Ligue 1
2009–10 Ligue 1
The 2009–10 Ligue 1 season was the 72nd since its establishment. Bordeaux were the defending champions. The fixtures were announced on 5 June 2009, and play commenced on 8 August and ended on 15 May 2010. There were three promoted teams from Ligue 2, replacing the three teams that were relegated...
season. On his league debut against Paris Saint-Germain, he scored a header in the 94th minute for a 1–1 draw, which earned a point for the newly promoted club. He scored his second goal for Montpellier in a 2–2 draw against FC Lorient
FC Lorient
Football Club Lorient-Bretagne Sud is a French association football club based in Lorient. The club was founded in 1926 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Lorient plays its home matches at the Stade du Moustoir located within the city. The team is managed by Christian...
. In January 2010, he extended his contract to June 2014.
In August 2010, Spahić personally spoke to Arsène Wenger
Arsène Wenger
Arsène Wenger, OBE is a French association football manager and former player, who has managed English Premier League side Arsenal since 1996...
and agreed a transfer to Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
, but Montpellier
Montpellier HSC
Montpellier Hérault Sport Club is a French association football club based in the city of Montpellier. The club was founded in 1919 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Montpellier plays its home matches at the Stade de la Mosson, located within the city...
demanded £25 million which Arsenal could not meet.
On 4 July 2011, Spahić agreed a transfer with Sevilla for 2 million euro
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
s. He will stay at the club until July 2014.
International
Spahić is the captain of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national teamBosnia and Herzegovina national football team
The Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team is the national football team of Bosnia and Herzegovina, governed by the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina...
. On 7 June 2003, he made his debut as a substitute against Romania
Romania national football team
The Romania national football team is the national football team of Romania and is controlled by the Romanian Football Federation.Romania is one of only four national teams, the other three being Brazil, France, and Belgium, that took part in the first three World Cups.However, after that...
at Stadionul Ion Oblemenco
Stadionul Ion Oblemenco
Ion Oblemenco Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Craiova, Romania. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of Universitatea Craiova. It is located in the western side of the city.-History:...
in Craiova
Craiova
Craiova , Romania's 6th largest city and capital of Dolj County, is situated near the east bank of the river Jiu in central Oltenia. It is a longstanding political center, and is located at approximately equal distances from the Southern Carpathians and the River Danube . Craiova is the chief...
. Ever since his debut, he has been an important member of the national team.
Personal life
His parents were from various parts of Yugoslavia. His fathers family is originally from the MontenegrinMontenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
part of Sandžak
Sandžak
Sandžak also known as Raška is a historical region lying along the border between Serbia and Montenegro...
, but his father was born in Dubrovnik and his mother Fatima is from Gacko
Gacko
Gacko is a town and municipality in southeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Republika Srpska entity. It is situated in the Foča Region.-Geography:The town is in a short distance from Montenegro...
in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
. They were both working in Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is a Croatian city on the Adriatic Sea coast, positioned at the terminal end of the Isthmus of Dubrovnik. It is one of the most prominent tourist destinations on the Adriatic, a seaport and the centre of Dubrovnik-Neretva county. Its total population is 42,641...
, Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
, where they met and formed a family. Emir has two brothers: older Nermin and younger Alen
Alen Spahic
Alen Spahić is a Bosnian football player.In 2005/2006 season, he played for FK Željezničar in the Bosnian Premier League...
. Younger brother Alen
Alen Spahic
Alen Spahić is a Bosnian football player.In 2005/2006 season, he played for FK Željezničar in the Bosnian Premier League...
is also a football player. Spahić is a first cousin of fellow national team player Edin Džeko
Edin Džeko
Edin Džeko is a Bosnian footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester City and the Bosnian national team. He was named Bosnian Footballer of the Year for 2009 and 2010...
.