Vedad Ibisevic is on a blistering pace which could come close to breaking scoring records in Germany and possibly shock the soccer world by guiding promoted side 1899 Hoffenheim to the Bundesliga title in its first ever season in the league.
Moves Early In Life
Ibisevic was born on August 6, 1984 in Vlasenica, Bosnia and Herzogovina. His family left Bosnia in 2000 for Switzerland and Ibisevic played for FC Baden. But his family was forced to leave Switzerland just 10 months later because it could not get residency permits. And the Ibisevic family landed in St. Louis in the United States where the youngster played high school soccer and became one of the nation's top talents. Ibisevic attended the respected St. Louis University and collected 18 goals and 4 assists in 22 games, winning the collegiate NCAA Freshman of the Year award while becoming a First Team All-American.
Europe Beckons
Ibisevic's time in St. Louis would be limited to one season as he was called back to Bosnia to play for the under-21 national team. And it was during this time that Ibisevic was discovered by some of the top European scouts, including Paris St. Germain's Bosnian coach Vahid Halilhodzic, who brought him into his French club. Ibisevic did not play much and was moved to second division French side Dijon FCO and then signed a two year deal. But in May 2006, Ibisevic was moved to German second division Alemannia Aachen, playing one season before moving yet again - this time to second divison Hoffenheim.
Initial Struggles In Germany
Ibisevic was unable to find his form in 2007-08 for Hoffenheim. And even though the team won promotion to the German first division, Ibisevic contributed just five goals. Ibisevic missed some easy shots and began to lose his confidence. But he pledged during the off-season to re-focus.
Leading Way For Surprise Hoffenheim
The summer away seemed to work as Ibisevic has been a scoring tornado since the start of the season. He started with two goals against Energie Cottbus in Week One. His second two-goal came after his first scoreless contest, versus Borussia Dortmund. He scored two more against Hannover and Karlsruhe. Then after his two scores against Cologne - his fifth two-goal game of the season - last weekend, Ibisevic has tallied 16 goals in 14 games. And he admitted to German sports magazine Kicker on November 24: "To be honest, I don't think this is normal either."
Amazing Pace, But Bomber Müller Still Far Off
If he were to continue his torrid pace, Ibisevic would score 38 goals, which would only tie Gerd Müller for second place on the single season record - two goals behind Müller all-time mark of 40 in 1971-72 for Bayern Munich. No Bundesliga player has scored 30 goals in a season since Dieter Müller in 1976-77 for Cologne. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge tallied 29 times in 1980-81 for Bayern Munich. And since Rummenigge's 26 goals in 1983-84 only one player has scored more than 26 - Ailton with 28 in 2003-04 for Werder Bremen.
