Sead Kolašinac

Sead Kolašinac (born 20 June 1993) is a professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Serie A club Atalanta. Born in Germany, he plays for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team.

Kolašinac started his professional career at Schalke 04, playing first in its reserve team, before joining Arsenal in 2017. In 2021, he was loaned back to Schalke 04. The following year, he moved to Marseille. A year later, he signed with Atalanta.

A former German youth international, Kolašinac made his senior international debut for Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2013, earning over 50 caps since. He represented the nation at their first major championship, the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Schalke 04


Kolašinac started playing football at his hometown club Karlsruher SC, which he joined in 2001. In 2009, he moved to 1899 Hoffenheim's youth academy. A year later, he switched to VfB Stuttgart's youth setup. In January 2011, he went to Schalke 04's youth academy. He made his professional debut against Greuther Fürth on 15 September 2012 at the age of 19. On 4 December, Kolašinac debuted in the UEFA Champions League away at Montpellier.

In June 2013, he extended his contract with the team until June 2017.

In August 2014, he suffered a severe knee injury, which was diagnosed as an anterior cruciate ligament tear and was ruled out for at least six months. Over seven moths after the injury, on 11 April 2015, he returned to the pitch.

On 13 December 2015, he scored his first professional goal against FC Augsburg.

Arsenal


In June 2017, Kolašinac signed a five-year deal with English side Arsenal.

2017–18 season
He made his official debut for the club in the 2017 FA Community Shield against Chelsea on 6 August, managed to score a goal and win his first trophy. A week later, he made his league debut against Leicester City.

In September 2017, he was voted Arsenal's Player of the Month for August.

On 28 October, he scored his first league goal for the squad in a triumph over Swansea City.

He was once again voted Arsenal's Player of the Month, this time for October.

2018–19 season
In August 2018, Kolašinac picked up a knee injury during pre-season game against Chelsea, which ruled him out for the start of season. He made his season debut in a UEFA Europa League game against Qarabağ on 4 October.

2019–20 season
Kolašinac played his first tie of the campaign in a defeat of Burnley on 17 August 2019.

He played his 100th match for the side on 15 July 2020 against Liverpool.

2020–21 season
Kolašinac appeared in his first fixture of the season on 19 September against West Ham United.

In January 2021, he was sent on a six-month loan to his former club Schalke 04. He played his first competitive game for the club since coming back on 9 January against 1899 Hoffenheim. On 27 February, he scored first goal for Schalke 04 since his comeback in a victory over VfB Stuttgart.

2021–22 season
Kolašinac debuted in the season against Manchester City on 28 August 2021.

In November, he suffered an ankle injury, which was diagnosed as a broken ankle and was ruled out for at least two months.

Marseille
In January 2022, Kolašinac moved to French outfit Marseille on a contract until June 2023. He debuted officially for the squad on 4 February against Angers. On 13 November, he scored his first goal for Marseille against Monaco, which secured the victory for his team.

Atalanta
In July 2023, Kolašinac joined Italian side Atalanta on a two-year deal. He debuted competitively for the team against Sassuolo on 20 August. On 8 October, he scored his first goal for Atalanta against Lazio. He won his first title with the club on 22 May 2024, by beating Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Europa League final.

International career
Despite representing Germany at various youth levels, Kolašinac decided to play for Bosnia and Herzegovina at the senior level.

In November 2013, his request to change sports citizenship from German to Bosnian was approved by FIFA. Later that month, he received his first senior call-up, for a friendly game against Argentina, and debuted in that game on 18 November.

In June 2014, Kolašinac was named in Bosnia and Herzegovina's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, country's first major competition. He made his tournament debut in the opening group match against Argentina on 15 June.

Style of play
During his career, Kolašinac has been deployed as a centre-back and as a defensive midfielder, although he spent most of the time playing as a left-back. He possesses very strong body build and strength.

Personal life
Kolašinac married his long-time girlfriend Susubelle in June 2019. Together they have a daughter named Soleil.

He is a practising Muslim; together with international teammates Ibrahim Šehić, Muhamed Bešić, Armin Hodžić, Izet Hajrović, Edin Višća and Ervin Zukanović he visited a mosque in Zenica during the national team's concentration.

In July 2019, he and his then teammate Mesut Özil were victims of an attempted carjacking, which Kolašinac successfully fought off.

Honours
Arsenal
 * FA Cup: 2019–20
 * FA Community Shield: 2017, 2020

Atalanta
 * UEFA Europa League: 2023–24

Individual
 * Bundesliga Team of the Season: 2016–17
 * UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season: 2018–19