Slovenski reprezentant ima nov klub, Liverpool zadržal zvezdnika

Leeds United has confirmed the signing of defender Tarik Muharemovic, who was born in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and will join forces with Slovenian international Jaka Bijol in the Premier League. The 23-year-old, who previously played for Italian side Sassuolo, has signed a five-year contract with the Yorkshire club, marking his move to England after representing Bosnia and Herzegovina at the World Cup. According to media reports, the transfer fee is estimated to be around €40 million. Muharemovic arrives at Leeds as a replacement for Pascal Struijk, who joined Brighton & Hove Albion in June. He will partner up with Bijol in the backline, forming a defensive duo that the club hopes will provide stability and strength. His arrival comes amid ongoing restructuring within the squad, aimed at reinforcing key positions following several departures during the summer transfer window. The news follows another major development involving Slovenian footballer Žan Celar, who has joined Swiss top-flight club Basel on a three-year deal. The 27-year-old forward moved from English Championship side Queens Park Rangers, having spent the previous season on loan at German Bundesliga team Fortuna Düsseldorf. Celar's move to Basel marks a return to Switzerland, where he had previously enjoyed success with Lugano, winning domestic titles and earning individual accolades such as top scorer in the Swiss Super League. Celar began his career in Slovenia with NK Maribor before moving to Italy at 18 years old. He gained experience through loans at Cittadella and Cremonese in Serie B before joining Lugano in 2021. During his time there, he scored 51 goals in 118 appearances, helping the club achieve fourth, third, and second-place finishes in the Swiss league. His performances earned him a call-up to the Slovenian national team, where he made his debut in late 2021 and participated in the European Championship in Germany last year. Despite his achievements, Celar struggled to find consistent goal-scoring form in recent seasons. After joining QPR, he managed just two goals in 21 games before suffering a hamstring injury that cut his campaign short. A subsequent loan spell at Borussia Mönchengladbach did not yield additional goals, prompting his return to Switzerland. Basel’s technical director Andreas Herrmann expressed confidence in Celar’s abilities, stating that despite the challenges faced over the past two seasons, the player demonstrated his scoring potential and motivation. The club believes Celar can regain his best form and contribute significantly to their ambitions this season, particularly with a high-profile friendly match against Italian giants Juventus scheduled ahead of the new campaign. Meanwhile, at Liverpool, Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has extended his contract with the Reds. The 25-year-old, who has been a key figure in the team’s midfield, signed a new five-year deal, ensuring his presence at Anfield for the foreseeable future. This decision reflects the club’s satisfaction with his performance last season, which saw him play a crucial role in securing victories and maintaining competitiveness in both domestic and European competitions. The summer transfer window has thus far brought notable changes to several clubs, with both Leeds United and Basel making strategic moves to strengthen their squads. These developments highlight the dynamic nature of European football, where players frequently transition between leagues and clubs in pursuit of new opportunities and challenges.