Nikola Vasilj

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Date of birth (1995-12-02) 2 December 1995 (age 30)
Place of birth Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Height 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)[1]
Position Goalkeeper
Nikola Vasilj
Vasilj with FC St. Pauli in 2025
Personal information
Date of birth (1995-12-02) 2 December 1995 (age 30)
Place of birth Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Height 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)[1]
Position Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
FC St. Pauli
Number 22
Youth career
HNK Međugorje
2010–2013 Zrinjski Mostar
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2017 Zrinjski Mostar 17 (0)
2014–2015Igman Konjic (loan) 24 (0)
2015–2016Branitelj (loan) 13 (0)
2017–2019 1. FC Nürnberg II 42 (0)
2019–2021 Zorya Luhansk 20 (0)
2021– FC St. Pauli 159 (0)
International career
2013–2014 Bosnia and Herzegovina U21 3 (0)
2021– Bosnia and Herzegovina 25 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 25 April 2026
‡ National team caps and goals as of 31 March 2026

Nikola Vasilj (pronounced [nǐkola ʋǎsiʎ]; born 2 December 1995) is a Bosnian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Bundesliga club FC St. Pauli and the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team.

Vasilj started his professional career at Zrinjski Mostar, who loaned him to Igman Konjic in 2014 and to Branitelj in 2015. In 2017, he joined 1. FC Nürnberg II. Two years later, he moved to Zorya Luhansk. He signed with FC St. Pauli in 2021.

A former youth international for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Vasilj made his senior international debut in 2021, earning over 20 caps since.

Early career

Vasilj started playing football at a local club, before joining the youth academy of his hometown team Zrinjski Mostar in 2010.[2] He made his professional debut against Željezničar on 10 April 2013 at the age of 17.[3] In July 2014, he was sent on a season-long loan to Igman Konjic.[4] In July 2015, he was loaned to Branitelj until the end of the season.[5]

In July 2017, Vasilj signed with German side 1. FC Nürnberg.[6]

In July 2019, he joined Ukrainian outfit Zorya Luhansk.[7]

FC St. Pauli

In May 2021, Vasilj moved to FC St. Pauli on a three-year deal.[8] He made his official debut for the team on 25 July against Holstein Kiel and kept a clean sheet.[9]

In January 2024, he signed a new long-term contract with the squad.[10]

Vasilj was an important piece in FC St. Pauli's conquest of the 2. Bundesliga title, his first trophy with the club, which was sealed on 19 May and earned them promotion to the Bundesliga.[11]

He played his 100th game for the side against FC Augsburg on 15 September.[12]

International career

Vasilj was a member of the Bosnia and Herzegovina under-21 team under coach Vlado Jagodić.[13]

In March 2021, he received his first senior call up, for 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Finland and France and a friendly game against Costa Rica.[14] He debuted against Costa Rica on 27 March.[15]

Personal life

Vasilj's father Vladimir was also a goalkeeper, as is his younger brother Filip.[16]

He married his long-time girlfriend Sara in May 2021.[17]

Career statistics

Honours

References

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