Emir Spahić


Emir Spahić is a Bosnian former professional footballer who played as a centre back.
During his club career, he represented teams in his homeland, Croatia, Russia, France, Spain and Germany.
A full international from 2003 to 2016, he was the captain of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team from 2008 until the end of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Club career

Over the course of his career, Spahić played for Zagreb, Shinnik Yaroslavl, Lokomotiv Moscow and Anzhi Makhachkala.
He played for Zagreb and Leverkusen in the Champions League and with Montpellier, Sevilla and Lokomotiv in the Europa League.

Montpellier

On 24 June 2009, Spahić announced that he would join newly promoted Montpellier 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, earning his side a point.

Sevilla

On 4 July 2011, Spahić agreed a transfer with Spanish side Sevilla for €2 million until July 2014. His national teammate Miroslav Stevanović also transferred to Sevilla in January 2013 and upon his arrival at San Pablo International Airport, he was received by Spahić. Spahić scored his first goal for Sevilla on 5 January 2013 in a 1–0 victory against Osasuna.

Anzhi Makhachkala

On 26 February 2013, Spahić left Sevilla on loan to Anzhi Makhachkala of the Russian Premier League. He scored his first goal for the club on 14 April 2013 against Volga Nizhny Novgorod.

Bayer Leverkusen

On 28 June 2013, Spahić was signed by Bayer Leverkusen of the German Bundesliga on a two-year contract. He conceded a penalty and was later sent off in a Champions League last-16 first-leg game on 18 February 2014, as Paris Saint-Germain beat Leverkusen 4–0. On 20 April, he scored his first two goals for the club in a 4–1 league victory against 1. FC Nürnberg.
On 30 August 2014, 34-year-old Spahić headed in a goal from a free kick to level the score at 2–2 in a game that finished 4–2 for Leverkusen against Hertha BSC, thus ensuring his team's unbeaten start to the season.
Spahić was sent off for two yellow cards in a 4–5 home defeat against VfL Wolfsburg on 14 February 2015; having been 1–4 down, the score was level at his time of dismissal.
On 30 March 2015, Spahić was named the best defender in Europe by International Centre for Sports Studies. Spahić had his contract terminated on 12 April for headbutting a member of club's security personnel reportedly after they refused to allow his friends entry inside the dressing room area.

Hamburger SV

On 5 July 2015, fellow Bundesliga team Hamburger SV confirmed Spahić as the team's newest player, signing a one-year contract lasting until June 2016. He credited the move to his compatriot, former Hamburg player Sergej Barbarez, and expressed gratefulness at being given a second chance after his expulsion from Leverkusen. He was released by the club on 3 January 2017.

International career

Spahić was the captain of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team before initially announcing his retirement.
On 7 June 2003, he made his debut as a substitute against Romania at Stadionul Ion Oblemenco in Craiova.
On 28 February 2006, he scored his first international goal, in a friendly game against Japan, played in Dortmund.
Ever since his debut, he was an important member of the national team. He headed a ball into the box and assisted Ermin Bičakčić who scored a crucial equalizer versus Slovakia in Žilina during 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Bosnia and Herzegovina came back from one goal down in that game to win 2–1 and stay top of their qualifying group for ahead of Greece.
Spahić retired from international football on 7 August 2014. After his retirement, Bosnia lost their first game of Euro 2016 qualifiers versus Cyprus without Spahić, which resulted in manager Safet Sušić calling him back from retirement on 22 September for the games that followed against Wales and Belgium. At the time, Bosnia's key defenders were either injured or lacked competitive matches for their clubs, which prompted in Spahić's call-up to the national side. Due to injury, he missed those two games and later returned to international stage against Israel on 16 November where he played the full game, his first since playing against Iran at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
On 29 May 2016, he scored in a 3–1 friendly loss to Spain in St. Gallen, Switzerland, and was sent off before half time for an altercation with Cesc Fàbregas.

Personal life

Spahić is a Muslim. His father is from Sandžak, and his mother is from Gacko. They met when they were both working in Dubrovnik. Emir has two brothers, the older being Nermin and younger one Alen, who is also a football player. Spahić is a first cousin of fellow national team player Edin Džeko.
Spahić is a great lover of tennis, and has followed live matches in Dubai, Barcelona, Montpellier and Paris.
Spahić is enrolled at the University of Sarajevo, majoring in sport and physical education.
Aside from his native Bosnian, Spahić speaks English, Spanish, French, German and Russian to varying degrees of fluency.

Career statistics

International

International goals

GoalDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.28 February 2006Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany
2–1
2–2
Friendly
2.15 October 2008Bilino Polje, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
1–0
4–1
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
3.15 November 2011Estádio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal
2–3
2–6
UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying play-offs
4.29 May 2016AFG Arena, St. Gallen, Switzerland
1–2
1–3
Friendly
5.6 September 2016Bilino Polje, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
1–0
5–0
2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
6.6 September 2016Bilino Polje, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
5–0
5–0
2018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Zagreb
Lokomotiv Moscow