The much-feared attack of Vedad Ibisevic, Demba Ba and Chinedu Obasi has been responsible for scoring most of the goals for the surprise promoted side 1899 Hoffenheim and its push to the top of the German Bundesliga. But Sejad Salihovic and his curling left foot free kicks are just as feared in dead ball situations.
Salihovic Left Bosnia With Family For Berlin Before Bosnian War
Salihovic was born on October 8, 1984 and grew up in the northwestern Bosnian town of Gornji Šepak. When he was seven years old, he and his family fled Bosnia before the start of the Bosnian War and arrived in the German capital Berlin.
Early Soccer In Berlin
Salihovic began his soccer playing in the Berlin youth system before transferring in 2000 to the Hertha Berlin juniors. In 2003-04, he worked his way to the Hertha amateur side and a season later made the jump to the club's professional squad, debuting on September 24, 2004. All told he played five games for Berlin
Transferred To Hoffenheim
Before the 2006-07 season, Salihovic transferred from Hertha Berlin to the third division side Hoffenheim for a transfer fee of about 250,000 euros. And he immediately helped Hoffenheim get promoted to the second division with 10 goals. In the 2007-08 season, the feared free kick specialist tallied six goals and had 15 assists as Hoffenheim made the magical jump to the Bundesliga. The season also saw him make his debut with the Bosnian national team in October 2007.
Big Part Of Hoffenheim Bundesliga Success
Salihovic continued his superb career in the 2008-09 season, collecting four goals and four assists in the first eight games. Since then the 24-year-old has contributed four more assists.
Extension With Hoffenheim
The midfielder felt so welcome in Hoffenheim that he prematurely extended his contract, which was due to run out at the end of this season, to 2012 in early November. In doing so, he turned down interest from his former club, Hertha Berlin, as well as Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund.
Agreement From Both Sides
And both sides were pleased with the extension. "I have here all the requirements I need to continue to improve. I respect the faith of the club and am very happy to continue being able to wear the 1899 jersey," Salihovic said in the November 4, 2008 Kicker magazine.
And Hoffenheim manager Jan Schindelmeiser added: "Sejad is a wonderful example for the way of TSG Hoffenheim. He continuously developed from the third division to the Bundesliga and is a crucial part of our team."
First Sign Of Disappointment
But Salihovic began having less of a role beginning after Week 10. In the six games, he has only played the full 90 minutes twice, missing one game due to a suspension and three times getting subbed in. And it boiled over after Hoffenheim's 2-1 loss at Bayern Munich when he was subbed in for the final 16 minutes. "I will accept it, for now. But not too much more can happen. I think I deserve to play," Salihovic told Kicker on December 8.
