Haris Medunjanin
Medunjanin with Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2015
Personal information
Full name Haris Medunjanin[1]
Date of birth (1985-03-08) 8 March 1985[2]
Place of birth Sarajevo, SFR Yugoslavia
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)[3]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Castellón
Number 4
Youth career
Swift Atletiek
AFC'34
AZ
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2008 AZ 25 (4)
2006–2007 → Sparta Rotterdam (loan) 32 (7)
2008–2010 Valladolid 42 (7)
2010–2013 Maccabi Tel Aviv 46 (9)
2012–2013 → Gaziantepspor (loan) 30 (4)
2013–2014 Gaziantepspor 32 (2)
2014–2016 Deportivo La Coruña 24 (2)
2016–2017 Maccabi Tel Aviv 33 (4)
2017–2019 Philadelphia Union 98 (5)
2020–2022 FC Cincinnati 69 (4)
2022–2023 PEC 24 (6)
2023– Castellón 10 (4)
International career
2006–2007 Netherlands U21 7 (0)
2009–2018 Bosnia and Herzegovina 60 (9)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Netherlands
UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Winner2006 Portugal
Winner2007 Netherlands
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 1 November 2023

Haris Medunjanin (Bosnian pronunciation: [xâːris medûːɲanin]; born 8 March 1985) is a Bosnian professional footballer who plays for Spanish club CD Castellón as a midfielder.

He started his professional career at AZ, who loaned him to Sparta Rotterdam in 2006. In 2008 he joined Valladolid, before signing with Maccabi Tel Aviv two years later. He was loaned to Gaziantepspor in 2012, signing on a permanent basis the following season; in 2016 he returned to Maccabi and, one year later, moved to the Philadelphia Union.

Medunjanin represented the Netherlands at under-21 level, but in 2009 he decided to play for Bosnia and Herzegovina as a senior. His international career lasted until 2018, with the highlight being appearing at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Club career

AZ

Medunjanin made his Eredivisie debut on 20 February 2005, with AZ Alkmaar. During his three-year spell, however, opportunities were scarce.[4][5][6]

For the 2006–07 season, he was loaned to Sparta Rotterdam,[7] being essential as the modest club finished 13th by scoring seven league goals.[8]

Valladolid

After another unassuming campaign in Alkmaar,[9] Medunjanin was acquired by Spain's Real Valladolid in August 2008.[10] He was relatively used in his first year, mainly as a substitute.[11]

In 2009–10, Medunjanin netted all of his five La Liga goals as a late substitute.[12][13] In January 2010, he and other teammates were fined €6,000 for breaching club discipline by "engaging in untimely nocturnal activities",[14] and the team was also eventually relegated.[15]

Maccabi Tel Aviv

Medunjanin signed a four-year contract with Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C. in Israel in July 2010, for €1.8 million.[16][17] He made his official debut for his new team on the 15th in a UEFA Europa League second qualifying round against FK Mogren, and scored in the 2–0 home win.[18]

Gaziantepspor

On 31 August 2012, Medunjanin signed with Turkish side Gaziantepspor on loan from Maccabi.[19][20] The move was made permanent before the start of the following season, on a three-year deal.[21][22]

Deportivo

On 12 August 2014, after a successful medical, free agent Medunjanin joined Deportivo de La Coruña.[23] On 29 January 2016, having been deemed surplus to requirements by new manager Víctor Sánchez,[24] he terminated his contract,[25] and agreed to a one-and-a-half-year deal with his former club Maccabi Tel Aviv two days later.[26]

Medunjanin helped Maccabi to qualify for the Europa League group stage in both his first and second seasons, following runner-up finishes in the Premier League.[27][28]

Philadelphia Union

Medunjanin playing for Philadelphia Union in 2017

On 31 January 2017, Major League Soccer club Philadelphia Union signed Medunjanin to a two-year deal with an option for a third.[29] He made his debut in the season opener, in a 0–0 away draw against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC.[30] He scored his first goal for his new team on 14 May 2017, contributing to a 4–0 victory at D.C. United;[31] on 27 November, he was named their Player of the Year after contributing 12 assists and two goals.[32]

Becoming one of the Union's core midfielders, Medunjanin's contract option was picked up for the 2019 campaign.[33] He helped the side earn their best season to date by playing every minute in the league, also leading all MLS players in total passes (2,571), total completed passes (2,182), passes in the opponent's half (1,521) and completed passes in the opponent's half (1,217) according to Opta.[34]

On 20 November 2019, Medunjanin was released.[35] During the MLS waiver draft, his rights were selected by FC Cincinnati.[36]

FC Cincinnati

On 5 December 2019, aged 34, Mendunjanin joined FC Cincinnati.[37] He scored his first goal for his new team the following 19 September, with a game-winning olympic corner kick against the New York Red Bulls.[38][39]

Medunjanin left the TQL Stadium in August 2022, by mutual consent.[40]

Later career

On 9 August 2022, Medunjanin returned to the Netherlands after 14 years, on a one-year contract at PEC Zwolle.[41] In July 2023 he moved countries again, with the 38-year-old signing a one-year deal with Spanish Primera Federación club CD Castellón.[42]

International career

Netherlands

Medunjanin was part of the Netherlands under-21 team that won the 2006 tournament of the UEFA European Championship.[43][44] He was also called by coach Foppe de Haan for his squad in the 2007 tournament, held in the Netherlands;[45] the nation went on to retain its title by beating Serbia 4–1 in the final,[46] and in the process qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Medunjanin playing for Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2015

In a 2009 interview, Medunjanin expressed strong desire to play for his native Bosnia and Herzegovina.[47] In August of the same year, his paperwork for change of footballing citizenship was submitted to FIFA and, on 31 October 2009, national coach Miroslav Blažević invited the player for the 2010 FIFA World Cup playoff games against Portugal.[48][49] He made his debut – as a starter – in the decisive second leg, a 0–1 loss in Zenica (0–2 on aggregate).[50][51]

Medunjanin scored his first international goal on 17 November 2010, in a friendly with Slovakia.[52][53] In the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying campaign, he contributed three goals against Albania (2–0, home),[54] Belarus (2–0, away)[55] and Luxembourg (5–0 at home),[56] helping Bosnia to the second place in their group and to qualify for play-offs.

On 2 June 2014, Medunjanin was named in the squad for 2014 FIFA World Cup.[57] He made his debut in the tournament 14 days later, playing the last 16 minutes of a 2–1 group stage loss to Argentina.[58]

On 13 October 2015, Medunjanin scored a crucial brace against Cyprus to help Bosnia and Herzegovina reach the Euro 2016 play-offs after the 3–2 away win.[59] In 2016, he captained the nation during the Kirin Cup winning campaign, the first match being against Denmark on 3 June.[60][61]

Medunjanin announced his retirement from international football on 27 March 2018, after playing in a friendly with Senegal which marked his 60th cap.[62][63]

Personal life

Medunjanin was born in Sarajevo, Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. After the outbreak of Bosnian War in 1992, he moved to the Netherlands at the age of seven with his mother and sister, whilst his father was unable to leave, later losing his life.[49][64] Due to living in the latter country he possessed dual citizenship, Bosnian and Dutch.

In July 2019, Medunjanin married Israeli model Moran Rahimi.[65][66]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 7 November 2021[67][68][69]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
AZ 2004–05 Eredivisie 300000—30
2005–06 Eredivisie 103202[lower-alpha 1]01[lower-alpha 2]0153
2007–08 Eredivisie 121102[lower-alpha 1]0—151
Total 254304010334
Sparta Rotterdam (loan) 2006–07 Eredivisie 32732—2[lower-alpha 3]0379
Valladolid 2008–09 La Liga 18131——212
2009–10 La Liga 24510——255
Total 42641——467
Maccabi Tel Aviv 2010–11 Israeli Premier League 328416[lower-alpha 1]4—4213
2011–12 Israeli Premier League 141329[lower-alpha 1]1—264
Total 46973155—6817
Gaziantepspor (loan) 2012–13 Süper Lig 30430——334
Gaziantepspor 2013–14 Süper Lig 32210——332
Deportivo La Coruña 2014–15 La Liga 24210——252
2015–16 La Liga 0020——20
Total 24230——272
Maccabi Tel Aviv 2015–16 Israeli Premier League 15341——194
2016–17 Israeli Premier League 1812014[lower-alpha 1]2—343
Total 33461142—537
Philadelphia Union 2017 Major League Soccer 34220——362
2018 Major League Soccer 30251——353
2019 Major League Soccer 34110—2[lower-alpha 4] 0371
Total 98581—201086
FC Cincinnati 2020 Major League Soccer 22100——221
2021 Major League Soccer 29300——293
Total 51400——514
Career total 413473883375048962

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Bosnia and Herzegovina[70] 200910
201061
2011113
201260
201391
201490
201562
201661
201721
201840
Total609
Scores and results list Bosnia and Herzegovina's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Medunjanin goal.
List of international goals scored by Haris Medunjanin[70]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 17 November 2010 Štadión Pasienky, Bratislava, Slovakia  Slovakia 1–1 3–2 Friendly
2 7 June 2011 Bilino Polje, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina  Albania 1–0 2–0 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
3 2 September 2011 Dinamo Stadium, Minsk, Belarus  Belarus 2–0 2–0 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
4 7 October 2011 Bilino Polje, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina  Luxembourg 5–0 5–0 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
5 7 June 2013 Skonto Stadium, Riga, Latvia  Latvia 3–0 5–0 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
6 13 October 2015 GSP Stadium, Nicosia, Cyprus  Cyprus 1–0 3–2 UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying
7 2−2
8 6 September 2016 Bilino Polje, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina  Estonia 3–0 5–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
9 7 October 2017 Grbavica, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina  Belgium 1–1 3–4 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Netherlands U21

References

  1. ↑ "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of players: Bosnia and Herzegovina" (PDF). FIFA. 14 July 2014. p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  2. ↑ "Haris Medunjanin". Eurosport. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  3. ↑ "Haris Medunjanin". Philadelphia Union. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  4. ↑ "Van Gaal geeft Medunjanin de kans" [Van Gaal gives chance to Medunjanin] (in Dutch). AZ Jeugd. 10 March 2006. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  5. ↑ "Medunjanin inspireert AZ" [Medunjanin inspires AZ]. de Volkskrant (in Dutch). 27 March 2006. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  6. ↑ "Haris Medunjanin" (in Dutch). Vergeten Spelers. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  7. ↑ "Sparta huurt Medunjanin van AZ" [Sparta get Medunjanin loan from AZ] (in Dutch). NU.nl. 20 June 2006. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  8. ↑ "Vloet geeft Sparta goede kans in play-offs" [Vloet gives Sparta good chance in play-offs]. Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). 29 April 2007. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  9. ↑ "Van Gaal kiest voor Medunjanin" [Van Gaal chooses Medunjanin] (in Dutch). NU.nl. 29 November 2007. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  10. ↑ "AZ and Valladolid agree on Medunjanin transfer". AZ Alkmaar. 26 August 2008. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  11. ↑ Encinas, A.G. (24 July 2009). "Medunjanin, año primero" [Medunjanin, year one]. El Norte de Castilla (in Spanish). Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  12. ↑ "Medunjanin calienta al Valladolid" [Medunjanin gets Valladolid fired up]. El Mundo (in Spanish). 20 December 2009. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  13. ↑ "'Microondas' Medunjanin" ['Microwave' Medunjanin]. El Norte de Castilla (in Spanish). 23 February 2010. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  14. ↑ "Multa de 6.000 euros a Medunjanin" [6.000 euro fine to Medunjanin]. El Norte de Castilla (in Spanish). 14 January 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  15. ↑ Barrocal Palmero, Javier (17 May 2010). "El Valladolid no obró el milagro y desciende a segunda división" [Valladolid could not work miracle and are relegated to the second division]. El Norte de Castilla (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 5 March 2017. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  16. ↑ "Visit of two foreign players". Maccabi Tel Aviv. 14 June 2010. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
  17. ↑ "Medunjanin jugará en el Maccabi" [Medunjanin will play in Maccabi]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 4 July 2010. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  18. ↑ "Maccabi Tel Aviv starts on right foot, but Bnei Yehuda stumbles". Haaretz. 16 July 2010. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  19. ↑ "Harís Medunjanín Gazíantepspor'da" [Haris Medunjanin to Gaziantepspor] (in Turkish). Gaziantespor. 31 August 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
  20. ↑ "Haris Medunjanin potpisao za Gaziantepspor!" [Haris Medunjanin signed for Gaziantepspor!] (in Bosnian). Sportin Vijesti. 31 August 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
  21. ↑ "Haris Medunjanin potpisao za Gaziantepspor!" [Haris Medunjanin signed for Gaziantepspor!] (in Bosnian). Kladionica. 1 September 2012. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  22. ↑ "Medunjanin'nin büyük şaşkınlığı" [Medunjanin the surprise]. Radikal (in Turkish). 23 October 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  23. ↑ "Medunjanin aterrizó en A Coruña para pasar reconocimiento médico en el HM Modelo" [Haris Medunjanin landed in A Coruña to undergo a medical at the HM Modelo] (in Spanish). Deportivo La Coruña. 12 August 2014. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  24. ↑ "Medunjanin, sin minutos tampoco en la Copa" [Medunjanin, no minutes even in Cup]. La Opinión A Coruña (in Spanish). 7 January 2016. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  25. ↑ "Haris Medunjanin više nije igrač Deportiva" [Medunjanin is no longer a player of Deportivo] (in Bosnian). Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 29 January 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  26. ↑ "Medunjanin signs 1,5 year deal". Maccabi Tel Aviv. 31 January 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  27. ↑ Sinai, Allon (24 May 2016). "Lots of pride on the line in State Cup final". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  28. ↑ Sinai, Allon (25 May 2017). "A tale of two teams in State Cup final". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  29. ↑ "Philadelphia Union sign midfielder Haris Medunjanin". Philadelphia Union. 31 January 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  30. ↑ Zeitlin, Dave (5 March 2017). "Vancouver Whitecaps FC 0, Philadelphia Union 0 – 2017 MLS Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  31. ↑ Heseltine, Simon (15 May 2017). "D.C. United 0–4 Philadelphia Union". HuffPost. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  32. ↑ "Haris Medunjanin named 2017 Union Player of the Year". Philadelphia Union. 27 November 2017. Archived from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  33. ↑ Tannenwald, Jonathan (5 July 2018). "Union keep Haris Medunjanin for 2019 season with contract extension". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  34. ↑ Ralph, Matthew (25 November 2019). "Medunjanin selected by FC Cincinnati in end-of-year waiver draft". Brotherly Game. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  35. ↑ Rodriguez, Alicia (20 November 2019). "Philadelphia Union announce roster decisions for 2020 season". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  36. ↑ Tansey, Joe (25 November 2019). "FC Cincinnati adds Haris Medunjanin; 3 others chosen in MLS waiver draft". Pro Soccer USA. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  37. ↑ Boehm, Charles (5 December 2019). "FC Cincinnati sign midfielder Haris Medunjanin". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  38. ↑ "FC Cincinnati veteran Haris Medunjanin scores olimpico goal off corner kick". Major League Soccer. 19 September 2020. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  39. ↑ Butler, Dylan (20 September 2020). "Haris Medunjanin's spectacular Olimpico goal was no fluke, say FC Cincinnati". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  40. ↑ Gaschk, Matt (4 August 2022). "FC Cincinnati and Haris Medunjanin mutually agree to part ways". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  41. ↑ "Haris Medunjanin tekent bij PEC Zwolle" [Haris Medunjanin signs with PEC Zwolle] (in Dutch). PEC Zwolle. 9 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  42. ↑ Esteve, David (16 July 2023). "Un viejo rockero para el Castellón: Medunjanin firma a los 38 años" [Old rocker for Castellón: Medunjanin signs at age 38]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  43. ↑ Scholten, Berend (16 May 2006). "Netherlands turn to Medunjanin". UEFA. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  44. ↑ "Netherlands celebrate U21 glory". UEFA. 5 June 2006. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  45. ↑ "Medunjanin en Drost haken af bij Jong Oranje" [Medunjanin and Drost out injured from Jong Oranje] (in Dutch). RTV Rijnmond. 5 October 2006. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  46. 1 2 "Jong Oranje clinch European crown". UEFA. 24 June 2007. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  47. ↑ Isanović, Edin (25 July 2009). "Ako dobijem Ćirin poziv, dolazim" ['If I get a call from Ćiro, I come'] (in Bosnian). Klix. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  48. ↑ "Ćiro objavio spisak za Portugal" [Ćiro released squad for Portugal] (in Bosnian). Radio Sarajevo. 4 November 2009. Retrieved 9 November 2009.
  49. 1 2 "Ostvareni san Harisa Medunjanina" [The dream of Haris Medunjanin] (in Bosnian). Klix. 1 November 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  50. ↑ "Bosnia and Herzegovina 0–1 Portugal". FIFA. 18 November 2009. Archived from the original on 3 October 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  51. ↑ "Tako blizu, a tako daleko" [So near, and yet so far] (in Bosnian). Sport Sport. 18 November 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  52. ↑ "Slovakia 2–3 Bosnia: Dzeko on target in deserved win". Goal. 17 November 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  53. ↑ "Zmajevi preokrenuli protiv Slovaka za važnu pobjedu" [Dragons came from behind against Slovaks for an important victory] (in Bosnian). Klix. 17 November 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  54. ↑ Ligata, Jasmin (7 June 2011). "Bosnia and Herzegovina defeat ten-man Albania". UEFA. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  55. ↑ "Bosnia and Herzegovina buoyed by win in Belarus". UEFA. 2 September 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
  56. ↑ "Bosnia and Herzegovina bowl over Luxembourg". UEFA. 7 October 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
  57. ↑ "Bosnia-Herzegovina 2014 World Cup Squad". The Daily Telegraph. 2 June 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  58. ↑ "Bosnia beaten by Messi marvel". FIFA. 16 June 2014. Archived from the original on 17 June 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  59. ↑ "Cyprus 2–3 Bosnia and Herzegovina". Sky Sports. 13 October 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  60. ↑ "Haris Medunjanin kapiten proiv Danske" [Haris Medunjanin captain against Denmark] (in Bosnian). BiH. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  61. ↑ Puce, Asmir (28 August 2016). "Životna priča "Sarajevskog šmekera" Harisa Medunjanina" [The life story of the "Sarajevo snitch" Haris Medunjanin] (in Bosnian). BNM. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  62. ↑ "Haris Medunjanin se oprostio od reprezentacije" [Haris Medunjanin retires from national team] (in Bosnian). Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 27 March 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  63. ↑ "Medunjanin se oprostio od reprezentacije BiH: Trebamo dati šansu mlađim igračima" [Medunjanin retires from Bosnia and Herzegovina national team: We need to make way for younger players] (in Bosnian). Klix. 27 March 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  64. ↑ "Bosnia wait on FIFA approval for Haris Medunjanin". ESPN Soccernet. 4 November 2009. Archived from the original on 20 October 2012. Retrieved 4 November 2009.
  65. ↑ "Haris Medunjanin: Vrijeme je da se ženim" [Haris Medunjanin: It's time for me to marry] (in Bosnian). BiH. 30 September 2017. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  66. ↑ "Haris i Moran Medunjanin prvi put govore o svojoj ljubavi" [Haris and Moran Medunjanin talk about their love for the first time] (in Bosnian). Azra. 20 November 2019. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  67. ↑ "H. Medunjanin". Soccerway. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
  68. ↑ "Haris Medunjanin". Worldfootball. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  69. ↑ Haris Medunjanin – UEFA competition record (archive) 
  70. 1 2 "Haris Medunjanin". European Football. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  71. ↑ "2006: Huntelaar thrives in Dutch triumph". UEFA. 1 June 2006. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
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