The Slovenian national team has a new club: tomorrow against the great Juventus

Slovenian international footballer Žan Celar has joined Swiss champions FC Basel, marking a new chapter in his career. The 23-year-old forward, who previously played for English Championship side Queens Park Rangers, signed a three-year contract with the red-and-white club, which will run until the summer of 2029. Celar’s move comes after a successful stint with Lugano, where he became one of the top scorers in the Swiss Super League during the 2023/24 season. Celar, who was born in Kranj, began his youth football career in Maribor before moving to Italian Roma at the age of 18. He impressed in the youth ranks and later gained experience on loan spells with Cittadella and Cremonese in Italy's Serie B. In 2021, he joined Lugano, where he quickly established himself as a key player. Over three seasons with the club, he scored 51 goals in 118 matches and helped them finish third, second, and fourth in the league. His performances earned him a call-up to the Slovenian national team, where he made his debut in the autumn of 2021. Celar was part of Slovenia’s squad for the European Championships in Germany in 2024, playing in three of the four matches. Since joining the national team, he has appeared in 17 games but has yet to find consistent goal-scoring form. After the Euros, he moved to England, signing with Queens Park Rangers in the EFL Championship. However, a hamstring injury forced him to end his season early. Last season, he was on loan at German side Fortuna Düsseldorf, where he played 16 matches but did not score. Now returning to Switzerland, Celar aims to reclaim his best form and contribute significantly to Basel’s attacking play. The club believes he can help them regain their competitive edge following a disappointing campaign last season. Basel finished fifth in the league and missed out on European qualification. They face Juventus in their opening match of the new season, a test against one of Europe’s most prestigious clubs. Technical director Andreas Herrmann praised Celar’s consistency and scoring ability during his time in Switzerland. “He has shown his quality in the Swiss league,” Herrmann said. “Although the past two seasons didn’t go exactly as planned, we have no doubts about his shooting abilities. That is why he is highly motivated.” Celar expressed his excitement about joining Basel, calling it the biggest club in Switzerland and expressing his desire to help the team achieve success. With his return to the Swiss Super League, Celar looks set to become a central figure for Basel. His experience, both domestically and internationally, positions him well to make an impact. As the new season approaches, fans will be watching closely to see whether he can replicate the form that brought him to the attention of some of Europe’s top clubs. For now, his focus is on preparing for the challenge ahead, starting with a clash against Juventus.