Aljosa Vasic

Italian-Serbian footballer (born 2002)

Aljoša Vasić
Personal information
Date of birth (2002-04-21) 21 April 2002 (age 22)
Place of birth Camposampiero, Italy
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Palermo
Number 20
Youth career
0000 Cittadella
2011–2020 Padova
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020–2023 Padova 51 (8)
2022 → Lecco (loan) 13 (0)
2023– Palermo 10 (0)
International career
2023- Serbia U21 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10 January 2024

Aljoša Vasić (Serbian Cyrillic: Аљоша Васић; born 21 April 2002) is a Serbian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Serie B club Palermo.[1] Born in Italy, Vasić represents Serbia internationally.

Club career

Vasic first joined Padova's academy in 2011: he then spent a season-long loan at Cittadella before coming through his parent club's youth ranks.[2][3][4] Having been promoted to Padova's first team at the start of the 2020–21 season, under head coach Andrea Mandorlini,[4][5] he made his professional debut for the club on 30 September 2020, starting in a 3–1 away win over Frosinone in the Coppa Italia.[5][6]

On 31 January 2022, Vasic extended his contract with Padova until 2026 and was subsequently loaned to fellow Serie C side Lecco for the remainder of the season.[3][7]

On 17 September 2022, Vasic scored his first professional goal in a 3–0 league win over Pro Patria.[8][9] During the 2022–23 season, he established himself as a regular starter and one of the most valuable performers of his side,[3][4][10] having scored eight goals and four assists in 37 league matches;[5][10] however Padova was eventually eliminated by Virtus Verona in the second round of the playoffs.[11]

On 5 July 2023, Vasic officially joined Serie B side Palermo for a reported fee of two million euros, plus add-ons,[12] signing a five-year contract with the club.[12][13]

International career

In September 2023, Vasic was called up by the Serbian under-21 national team for a 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification game against Azerbaijan.[14]

Style of play

Despite playing as a forward at the start of his youth career, Vasic was moved to the mezzala role a few years before his professional debut.[4][5] He has been regarded for his physical attributes and his athleticism,[5] as well as his ability in aerial duels and his off-the-ball movements.[4][5]

During his spell at Padova, he was compared to Jorginho[4] and Marco Tardelli by his first-team coaches.[3][4]

Personal life

Vasic was born in Camposampiero, Italy,[2][3] from Bosnian Serb parents from Banja Luka.[4]

He holds Italian, Serbian and Bosnian citizenship.[4][5]

References

  1. ^ Aljosa Vasic at Soccerway
  2. ^ a b "Aljosa Vasic". Padova Calcio (in Italian). Archived from the original on 27 January 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e Ferrarello, Tommaso (26 February 2023). "Alla scoperta di Aljosa Vasic, il nuovo talento made in Padova". La Casa di C (in Italian). Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Amato, Davide (21 March 2023). "Vasic, da raccattapalle a faro del Padova. E quel sogno chiamato Serbia". La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Palladino, Antonio (2 July 2023). "Chi è Aljosa Vasic, il talento cresciuto a Padova e nuovo acquisto del Palermo". La Casa di C (in Italian). Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  6. ^ "Frosinone vs. Calcio Padova - 30 September 2020". Soccerway. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  7. ^ "Aljosa Vasic rinnova fino al 2026 e si trasferisce a titolo temporaneo al Lecco" (Press release) (in Italian). Padova Calcio. 31 January 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  8. ^ Canello, Dimitri (17 September 2022). "Super Padova: 3-0 alla Pro Patria e ora insidia la capolista". Corriere del Veneto (in Italian). Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  9. ^ "VIDEO. Padova-Pro Patria 3-0: gol e highlights". Sky Sport (in Italian). 17 September 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  10. ^ a b Mandelli, Michele (20 June 2023). "Il Palermo punta forte su Vasic, ma occhio a Genoa e Sassuolo". Numero Diez (in Italian). Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  11. ^ Pirrotta, Riccardo (14 May 2023). "Padova-Virtus Verona 0-1, Gomez e l'arbitro beffano i Biancoscudati: il racconto dall'Euganeo". Triveneto Goal (in Italian). Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  12. ^ a b "Palermo, ufficiale l'arrivo di Vasic". Gianluca Di Marzio (in Italian). 5 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  13. ^ "Vasic è rosanero". Palermo F.C. (in Italian). 5 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  14. ^ "VASIC CONVOCATO DALLA SERBIA U21" (in Italian). Palermo FC. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.

External links

  • Aljosa Vasic at WorldFootball.net
  • Aljosa Vasic at TuttoCalciatori.net (in Italian)
  • v
  • t
  • e
Palermo FC – current squad