Eldin Jakupović

Eldin Jakupović (Bosnian pronunciation: [jakǔːpoʋitɕ]; born 2 October 1984) is a Bosnian-born Swiss professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Premier League club Leicester City.

Eldin Jakupović
Jakupović with Grasshoppers in 2009
Personal information
Full name Eldin Jakupović[1]
Date of birth (1984-10-02) 2 October 1984
Place of birth Prijedor, SFR Yugoslavia
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)[2]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 Leicester City
Number 35
Youth career
000–2004 Grasshoppers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2005 Grasshoppers 13 (0)
2005–2006 FC Thun 22 (0)
2006–2009 FC Lokomotiv Moscow 20 (0)
2007–2009 → Grasshoppers (loan) 57 (1)
2010–2011 Olympiakos Volou 33 (0)
2011–2012 Aris 1 (0)
2012–2017 Hull City 38 (0)
2014 → Leyton Orient (loan) 4 (0)
2014 → Leyton Orient (loan) 9 (0)
2017– Leicester City 2 (0)
National team‡
2005 Bosnia and Herzegovina U21 2 (0)
2006 Switzerland U21 1 (0)
2008 Switzerland 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20:06, 14 May 2018 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 16:52, 19 September 2008 (UTC)

He started his professional career at Grasshopper Club Zürich in 2004, then moved to FC Thun a year later. After success there, Jakupović joined FC Lokomotiv Moscow in March 2006. He returned to Grasshoppers on loan spending two seasons there. In 2010, he moved to Greece joining Olympiakos Volou. In September 2011, after one season at Olympiakos Volou, he joined Aris. In 2012, he moved to Hull City. In 2017, he left Hull City after their relegation back to the EFL Championship to join Premier League side Leicester City.

Having played at under-21 level for both Bosnia and Switzerland, he earned his only senior cap for the latter in 2008, and was part of their squad at UEFA Euro 2008.

Club career

Early career

Jakupović was born in Prijedor, SFR Yugoslavia, present-day Bosnia and Herzegovina. He moved to Switzerland at a young age due to the Bosnian War and started his professional career at Grasshopper Club Zürich in 2004. He then moved to FC Thun in 2005. After a successful spell at FC Thun, Jakupović joined FC Lokomotiv Moscow in March 2006.

Grasshoppers

Jakupović returned to former club to Grasshopper Club Zürich on a year-long loan on 30 August 2007. He scored a 94th-minute equaliser against BSC Young Boys in his third match for the club, earning Grasshoppers a 3–3 draw. During the season Jakupović forced Fabio Coltorti to the bench as his backup. At the end of the 2007–08 season, Jakupović extended his loan at Grasshoppers for another year, which meant new signing goalkeeper Massimo Colomba was benched.

Lokomotiv return

On 31 August 2009, Jakupović was confirmed as part of the Lokomotiv Moscow squad, with Ivan Pelizzoli leaving on loan to join AlbinoLeffe.[3] Due to the number of foreigners in the Lokomotiv squad, Jakupović was asked to go out on loan again. In December, Jakupović went on trial at Tottenham Hotspur and had a successful week.[4] However, due to various reasons a deal could not be completed with Lokomotiv Moscow. After a turbulent time with the Lokomotiv management, Jakupović was allowed to be released.

Olympiakos Volou

Jakupović had a fine season with Olympiakos Volou. After they were relegated to the Delta Ethniki, Jakupović left the team.

Aris

On 30 September 2011, Jakupović joined Aris, with three other ex-teammates, Noe Acosta, Javier Umbides and Khalifa Sankare. He made his debut on 5 November 2011, against Olympiakos SFP, which finished 2–3.

Hull City

On 20 March 2012, Jakupović joined English Championship club Hull City on trial, and after impressing in training and a friendly match Hull manager Nick Barmby expressed a desire to sign Jakupović on a permanent contract.[5] Following the sacking of Nick Barmby, Jakupović had trials with Ipswich Town. On 9 July 2012, Jakupović signed for Hull City on a two-year contract, becoming Steve Bruce's first full signing as manager.[6][7] He officially joined the team on their pre-season training session in Portugal. He made his debut in a 3–1 friendly win against North Ferriby United on 16 July 2012. His first Championship match for The Tigers came on 21 December 2012 at Derby County, when he played in a 2–1 victory as Hull moved into second place in the Championship table.[8] This was followed up by three more league appearances, all of which consisted of clean sheets.

In January 2014 Jakupović joined Leyton Orient on loan until 8 February.[9] On 29 January 2014, Jakupović was recalled to parent club Hull City.[10] On 13 February 2014, Jakupović re-joined Leyton Orient until 17 May 2014,[11] but was again recalled on 27 March 2014.[12]

On 9 July 2014, Jakupović signed a new two-year contract with Hull City,[13] and began their Premier League campaign as third-choice goalkeeper behind Allan McGregor and Steven Harper. He made his first appearance of the season on 18 October away to Arsenal as a substitute when Harper injured his arm before half-time, and did not concede until Danny Welbeck equalised for 2–2 in added time.[14] A week later he started for the first time in the division, keeping a clean sheet in a goalless draw against Liverpool.[15]

Jakupović started for Hull against Arsenal in the FA Cup fifth round on 20 February 2016, at the Emirates Stadium. He made 12 saves to earn his side a 0–0 draw, which led to a replay at the KC Stadium.[16]

On 24 June 2016, Jakupović signed a new two-year deal with Hull City.[17] Since McGregor was out with a back injury that ruled him out for about six months,[18] Jakupović started off the 2016–17 season against Premier League Champions, Leicester City and helped earn the Tigers a 2–1 victory on opening day.[19]

Leicester City

On 19 July 2017, following Hull City's relegation back to the second tier of English football, Jakupović signed a three-year deal with Premier League side Leicester City.[20] He made his debut in the FA Cup third round match against Fleetwood Town.[21]

International career
Jakupović in training for the Swiss national team in June 2008

Jakupović has dual citizenship, both Bosnian and Swiss, and has represented both at under-21 level.

He has played for Bosnia and Herzegovina U21 for two competitive matches,[22][23] and a friendly match against Austria U21 for Switzerland on 1 March 2006.

In August 2005, Jakupović received his first call-up to the Bosnia and Herzegovina national squad which was a match against Belgium and Lithuania, however he did not accept the call up. In March 2007, Jakupović was asked again to play for the senior Bosnia and Herzegovina against Norway, but declined the offer. Jakupović was included in the Swiss UEFA Euro 2008 squad. He made his debut on 20 August 2008 in a friendly match against Cyprus. He was called up for the first two matches of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification,[24] but was an unused substitute.

In October 2008, Jakupović said that he would not play again for the Swiss national team due to family reasons.[25]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 13 May 2018[26][27][28]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Grasshoppers 2004–05 Swiss Super League 13000—00130
FC Thun 2005–06 Swiss Super League 22000—10[lower-alpha 1]0320
Lokomotiv Moscow 2006 Russian Premier League 5000—0050
2007 Russian Premier League 15000—00150
Total 2000000100200
Grasshoppers (loan) 2007–08 Swiss Super League 23100—00231
2008–09 Swiss Super League 34000—2[lower-alpha 2]0360
Total 571000020591
Olympiakos Volou 2010–11 Superleague Greece 33030—3[lower-alpha 2]0390
Aris 2011–12 Superleague Greece 1000—0010
Hull City 2012–13 Championship 5030000080
2013–14 Premier League 100010—20
2014–15 Premier League 300000—30
2015–16 Championship 2040503[lower-alpha 3]0140
2016–17 Premier League 2202020—260
Total 330908030530
Leyton Orient (loan) 2013–14 League One 130000000130
Leicester City 2017–18 Premier League 202000—40
Career total 1941140801802341
  1. Appearances in the UEFA Champions League
  2. Appearances in the UEFA Europa League
  3. Appearances in the EFL Championship play-offs

International
As of 20 August 2008
National teamYearAppsGoals
Switzerland 200810
Total10

Honours

Hull City

References
  1. "Updated squads for 2017/18 Premier League confirmed". Premier League. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  2. "Barclays Premier League Player Profile Eldin Jakupovic". Premier League. 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  3. "Transfer news". Lokomotiv Moscow. 1 September 2009. Archived from the original on 5 October 2009. Retrieved 5 September 2009.
  4. "Spurs set to land Swiss keeper Eldin Jakupovic on loan". The Mirror. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  5. "Tigers in Jakupovic talks". Sky Sports. 23 March 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
  6. "Hull agree keeper deal". Sky Sports. 9 July 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  7. "Tigers Complete Jakupovic Signing". The Tigers Official Website. Hull City A.F.C. 9 July 2012. Archived from the original on 11 July 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  8. "Derby 1–2 Hull". BBC Sport. BBC. 21 December 2012. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  9. "Jakupovic Signs". Leyton Orient FC. 7 January 2014. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  10. "Hull City recall keeper Eldin Jakupovic from Leyton Orient". BBC Sport. BBC. 29 January 2014. Retrieved 29 January 2014.
  11. "NEWS: Eldin Jakupovic Returns". Leyton Orient FC. 13 February 2014. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  12. "Hull City recall keeper Eldin Jakupovic from Leyton Orient". BBC Sport. BBC. 27 March 2014. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  13. "New Two-Year Contract For Jakupovic". The Tigers Official Website. Hull City A.F.C. 9 July 2014. Archived from the original on 9 July 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  14. Winton, Richard (18 October 2014). "Arsenal 2–2 Hull". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  15. Emons, Michael (25 October 2014). "Liverpool 0–0 Hull". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  16. "FA Cup: Arsenal 0–0 Hull City highlights". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  17. "Eldin Jakupovic: Hull City goalkeeper signs new deal". BBC Sport. BBC. 24 June 2016. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
  18. "Hull City duo Allan McGregor and Alex Bruce suffer injuries". SkySports. 11 July 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  19. "Hull City 2-1 Leicester City". BBC Sports. 13 August 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  20. "Leicester City Sign Goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic". LCFC. LCFC. 19 July 2017. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  21. "Fleetwood Town 0–0 Leicester City". BBC Sport. BBC. 6 January 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  22. http://www.uefa.com/competitions/under21/history/season=2006/round=1910/match=74413/report=lu.html
  23. http://www.uefa.com/competitions/under21/history/season=2006/round=1910/match=74414/report=lu.html
  24. "Hitzfeld snubs unfit Senderos". Reuters. 28 August 2008. Retrieved 1 July 2009.
  25. "Djourou fällt aus" (in German). football.ch. 13 October 2008. Retrieved 1 July 2009.
  26. "Eldin Jakupovic". Soccerbase. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  27. "Jakupović, Eldin". National-Football-Teams. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  28. Eldin Jakupović at Soccerway. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  29. Williams, Adam (28 May 2016). "Hull City 1–0 Sheffield Wednesday". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
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