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Miha Zajc

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Miha Zajc
Zajc playing for Slovenia in 2021
Personal information
Date of birth (1994-07-01) 1 July 1994 (age 30)
Place of birth Šempeter pri Gorici, Slovenia[1]
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Toulouse
(on loan from Fenerbahçe)
Number 21
Youth career
0000–2009 Bilje
2009–2012 Interblock
2012 Olimpija Ljubljana
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012 Interblock 5 (0)
2012–2014 Bravo 0 (0)
2012 → Olimpija Ljubljana (loan) 1 (2)
2013–2014 → Celje (loan) 51 (2)
2014–2017 Olimpija Ljubljana 70 (16)
2017–2019 Empoli 66 (12)
2019– Fenerbahçe 86 (15)
2020–2021 → Genoa (loan) 31 (1)
2024– → Toulouse (loan) 6 (0)
International career‡
2010 Slovenia U17[a] 2 (0)
2012 Slovenia U19[a] 3 (0)
2013 Slovenia U20 1 (0)
2013–2016 Slovenia U21 10 (1)
2016– Slovenia 39 (8)
2017 Slovenia B 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 27 October 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 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.[2]

Club career

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Interblock

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Zajc was born in Šempeter pri Gorici.[3] As a youngster, he played in the youth selections of Interblock from the capital of Ljubljana.[4] He made his senior debut on 3 March 2012 against Dravinja[5] and made a total of five league appearances in his first and last year at Interblock.[4]

Loan to Olimpija and Celje

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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.[4] Zajc moved on loan to Celje in January 2013.[4] He made his league debut with Celje on 2 March 2013, starting the match in a 0–0 draw against Gorica.[6] 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.[7] 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.[8]

Olimpija Ljubljana

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Zajc returned to Olimpija on a permanent basis in August 2014, signing a three-year contract.[9] He made his second debut for Olimpija on 16 August 2014 in a 2–0 league victory against Rudar Velenje.[10] With Olimpija, he won the 2015–16 PrvaLiga title.[11] 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.[12] In his three seasons with Olimpija, he made 70 appearances and collected 16 goals in the Slovenian PrvaLiga.[13]

Empoli

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Zajc moved to Empoli on 25 January 2017, and signed a four-year contract.[14] He debuted in Serie A on 29 January in a 4–1 defeat against Crotone.[15] In his first season, he made five appearances and scored one goal in Serie A.[15] 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.[16] 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.[17][18] However, Zajc did not finish the season with Empoli as he changed the club in the winter transfer window.

Fenerbahçe

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Zajc moved to Fenerbahçe in the midst of the 2018–19 season, making 10 appearances in the 2018–19 Süper Lig.[19] 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.[13]

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.[20] He consistently earned and played full 90-minute matches, showcasing his progress and scored 9 goals in 41 matches across all competitions.[13][21]

On 31 July 2023, Zajc signed a new contract with Fenerbahçe until 2026 after his previous contract expired.[22]

Loan to Genoa

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Zajc moved to Italian side Genoa in September 2020, on a one-year loan.[4] 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.[23][24][25] During his time at Genoa he contributed to the club's positive performances in Serie A, especially with his assists.[23]

Loan to Toulouse

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On 31 August 2024, he went on a season-long loan to French Ligue 1 side Toulouse.[26]

International career

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Between 2009 and 2016, Zajc played for Slovenia at all youth international levels from under-16 to under-21.[27] In March 2016, he debuted for the senior team during a friendly match against Macedonia.[28]

Player profile

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Style of play

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Zajc is a trequartista who can be employed behind one or two strikers, and can also play as a central midfielder.[29] When needed he has also played as a deep-lying playmaker and left midfielder.[16] He is considered a very technical player, and among his qualities are his set pieces ability and ability to defend the ball.[4][30] Zajc is endowed with tactical vision and strategic planning.[31] He is a right footed, and also has good dribbling skills and a good long-range shot.[32]

Zajc has stated that he is inspired by Luka Modrić.[33]

Reception

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After moving to Empoli, Zajc impressed with his performances in Italy, leading Empoli to its promotion to Serie A.[34] A talented player, his continuity has sometimes been criticized.[34][35]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 27 October 2024[2]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[b] Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Interblock 2011–12 2. SNL 5 0 — — 5 0
Olimpija Ljubljana (loan) 2012–13 1. SNL 1 2 0 0 0 0 1 2
Celje (loan) 2012–13 1. SNL 12 0 3 0 — 15 0
2013–14 36 2 3 1 2[c] 0 41 3
2014–15 3 0 0 0 — 3 0
Total 51 2 6 1 2 0 59 3
Olimpija Ljubljana 2014–15 1. SNL 19 4 4 0 — 23 4
2015–16 32 5 3 0 — 35 5
2016–17 19 7 3 1 2[d] 1 24 9
Total 70 16 10 1 2 1 82 18
Empoli 2016–17 Serie A 5 1 0 0 — 5 1
2017–18 Serie B 41 8 1 0 — 42 8
2018–19 Serie A 20 3 1 0 — 21 3
Total 66 12 2 0 0 0 68 12
Fenerbahçe 2018–19 Süper Lig 10 2 0 0 0 0 10 2
2019–20 10 1 7 1 — 17 2
2021–22 32 9 1 0 8[e] 0 41 9
2022–23 23 3 5 1 6[c] 1 34 5
2023–24 11 0 2 0 8[f] 2 21 2
Total 86 15 15 2 22 3 123 20
Genoa (loan) 2020–21 Serie A 31 1 2 0 — 33 1
Toulouse (loan) 2024–25 Ligue 1 6 0 0 0 — 6 0
Career total 316 48 35 4 26 4 377 56
  1. ^ a b Official competitive UEFA matches only.
  2. ^ Includes Slovenian Cup, Coppa Italia, Turkish Cup
  3. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  4. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  5. ^ Seven appearances in UEFA Europa League, one appearance in UEFA Europa Conference League
  6. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League

International

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As of match played 17 November 2023[28]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Slovenia 2016 3 0
2018 8 3
2019 8 2
2020 3 0
2021 7 2
2022 6 1
2023 4 0
Total 39 8
Scores and results list Slovenia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Zajc goal.[1]
List of international goals scored by Miha Zajc
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 2 June 2018 Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica, Montenegro  Montenegro 2–0 2–0 Friendly
2 6 September 2018 Stožice Stadium, Ljubljana, Slovenia  Bulgaria 1–1 1–2 2018–19 UEFA Nations League C
3 19 November 2018 Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria  Bulgaria 1–1 1–1 2018–19 UEFA Nations League C
4 24 March 2019 Stožice Stadium, Ljubljana, Slovenia  North Macedonia 1–0 1–1 UEFA Euro 2020 qualification
5 10 June 2019 Daugava Stadium, Riga, Latvia  Latvia 5–0 5–0 UEFA Euro 2020 qualification
6 11 November 2021 Anton Malatinský Stadium, Trnava, Slovakia  Slovakia 1–0 2–2 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
7 14 November 2021 Stožice Stadium, Ljubljana, Slovenia  Cyprus 1–0 2–1 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
8 20 November 2022 Stožice Stadium, Ljubljana, Slovenia  Montenegro 1–0 1–0 Friendly

Honours

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Olimpija Ljubljana

Empoli

Fenerbahçe

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Zajc, Miha". National Football Teams. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d "Slovenia – M. Zajc – Profile with news, career statistics and history". Soccerway. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  3. ^ "VIDEO: Miha Zajc - nov biser iz Šempetra pri Gorici". 24ur.com (in Slovenian). 19 April 2015. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Torino, chi è Miha Zajc: ex Empoli e Genoa, ora in Turchia". Toro.it (in Italian). Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  5. ^ "Interblock vs. Dravinja – 3 March 2012". Soccerway. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  6. ^ "Miha Zajc » PrvaLiga 2012/2013". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  7. ^ "Miha Zajc – sezona 2013/14" (in Slovenian). Football Association of Slovenia. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  8. ^ "Miha Zajc » PrvaLiga 2013/2014". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  9. ^ "Miha Zajc podpisal triletno pogodbo". Delo (in Slovenian). 12 August 2014. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  10. ^ "Miha Zajc » PrvaLiga 2014/2015". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  11. ^ "Miha Zajc". footballdatabase.eu. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  12. ^ "Fantacalcio, Empoli: Zajc il colpo a sorpresa? Occhio che sa far gol..." Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  13. ^ a b c "Miha Zajc » Club matches". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  14. ^ "Acquistato il centrocampista Zajc: domani la presentazione". empolicalcio.net (in Italian). 25 January 2017. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  15. ^ a b "Miha Zajc » Serie A 2016/2017". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  16. ^ a b "Miha Zajc, Genoa: perché comprarlo (e perché no) al Fantacalcio". fantacalcio.it (in Italian). Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  17. ^ "Miha Zajc » Serie A 2018/2019". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  18. ^ "Miha Zajc, scheda fantacalcio: i consigli per l'asta". FantaMaster (in Italian). 14 September 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  19. ^ "Miha Zajc » SüperLig 2018/2019". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  20. ^ "Miguel Crespo & Miha Zajc: Fenerbahçe yıllardır aradığı orta saha ikilisini buldu mu?". Goal.com (in Turkish). 11 April 2022. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  21. ^ "Ve Miha Zajc transferi gerçekleşiyor; işte sözleşme detayları". NTVSpor (in Turkish). 16 June 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  22. ^ "Edin Džeko, Dušan Tadić in ... Miha Zajc! Balkanska naveza je popolna, Zajc se je danes uradno vrnil v klub" (in Slovenian). Nogomania. 31 July 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  23. ^ a b "Zajc: "Cuore, identità e mediana. Il Genoa senza paura se la gioca con i più forti"". Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  24. ^ "Colpo Genoa: Zajc e Destro stendono il Bologna". Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  25. ^ "Genoa, Zajc ha convinto: verrà riscattato". CalcioMercato.com (in Italian). 14 May 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  26. ^ "Miha Zajc iz Turčije v Toulouse". 24ur.com (in Slovenian). 31 August 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  27. ^ "Miha Zajc – Nogometna zveza Slovenije" (in Slovenian). Football Association of Slovenia. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  28. ^ a b "Miha Zajc, international footballer". eu-football.info. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  29. ^ "Calciomercato Empoli, colpo Zajc: blindato fino al 2021". Corriere dello Sport (in Italian). 26 January 2017. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  30. ^ "Esclusiva: Empoli, missione a sorpresa per lo sloveno Zajc". alfredopedulla.com (in Italian). 20 January 2017. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  31. ^ "Calciomercato Palermo: playmaker cercasi, spunta l'idea Miha Zajc". mediagol.it (in Italian). 1 August 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  32. ^ "I nuovi stranieri della Serie A: Miha Zajc (Empoli)". SpazioCalcio.it (in Italian). 26 January 2017. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  33. ^ "Zajc: «Giocare con Badelj e Strootman è...bellissimo»". Pianeta Genoa (in Italian). 16 March 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  34. ^ a b Mancini, Domenico. "Miha Zajc, graffiante e decisivo. Ha stregato Empoli e la serie B". contra-ateque.it (in Italian). Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  35. ^ "Nuovi stranieri da acquistare al fantacalcio" (in Italian). Sky Sport. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  36. ^ Plestenjak, Rok (12 June 2023). "Slovenec v Turčiji proslavljal uspeh kariere, njegova usoda negotova" (in Slovenian). Siol. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
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