Edin Džeko facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Edin Džeko

Džeko with Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2015
Personal information
Full name	Edin Džeko
Date of birth	(1986-03-17) 17 March 1986 (age 39)
Place of birth	Sarajevo, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, Yugoslavia
Height	1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Position(s)	Striker
Team information
Current team	Fenerbahçe
Number	9
Youth career
1996–2003	Željezničar
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2003–2005	Željezničar	40	(5)
2005–2007	Teplice	43	(16)
2005–2006	→ Ústí nad Labem (loan)	15	(6)
2007–2011	VfL Wolfsburg	111	(66)
2011–2016	Manchester City	130	(50)
2015–2016	→ Roma (loan)	31	(8)
2016–2021	Roma	168	(77)
2021–2023	Inter Milan	69	(22)
2023–	Fenerbahçe	55	(31)
International career‡
2003–2004	Bosnia and Herzegovina U19	5	(0)
2006–2007	Bosnia and Herzegovina U21	4	(1)
2007–	Bosnia and Herzegovina	139	(67)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19 January 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 19 November 2024

Edin Džeko (born March 17, 1986) is a professional footballer from Bosnia and Herzegovina. He plays as a striker and is the captain for both the Süper Lig club Fenerbahçe and the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team. Many people consider him one of the best strikers of his time.

He holds the record for the most goals and most appearances for the Bosnian national team. Džeko was named the Bosnian Footballer of the Year three times in a row. Fans and journalists in Bosnia and Herzegovina call him "Bosnian Diamond" (Bosanski dijamant) or simply "Diamond" (Dijamant).

Before joining Fenerbahçe, he played for big clubs like Manchester City, Roma, and Inter Milan. He became famous while playing for the German club VfL Wolfsburg, where he helped them win the Bundesliga in the 2008–09 season. He was the second-highest goal scorer that season with 26 goals. In the 2009–10 season, Džeko was the top scorer with 22 goals. He also made many assists, helping his teammates score.

In the 2011–12 Premier League season, Džeko scored four goals in one game for Manchester City against Tottenham Hotspur. On the last day of that season, he scored a crucial goal against Queens Park Rangers in the 92nd minute. This helped City win their first league title in 44 years. Džeko was also the top scorer in Serie A during the 2016–17 season, scoring 29 goals for Roma. On March 3, 2018, he became the first player to score 50 goals in three of Europe's top five major leagues.

Džeko started playing for the senior national team in 2007. He has played over 130 games and scored 67 goals. He became Bosnia and Herzegovina's all-time top goal scorer in 2012. In 2018, he became the country's most-capped player. His ten goals in the qualifying games helped his national team reach their first big international tournament, the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He also became his country's oldest player and oldest goalscorer in recent years.

Club Football Journey

Starting His Career

Džeko began his football journey at Željezničar in Bosnia. From 2003 to 2005, he played as a midfielder, but he didn't have much success in that position. Some thought he was too tall and not very skilled with the ball. However, his coach, Jiří Plíšek, saw his potential. When Plíšek returned to his home country, he told Teplice to buy Džeko. Željezničar sold him for a small amount, just €25,000. One of Željezničar's directors later said they felt like they "won the lottery" with that sale, not knowing how famous Džeko would become.

In 2005, Džeko played for Ústí nad Labem on a loan. He scored six goals in 15 games there. After that, he went back to Teplice and stayed until 2007. He scored 13 goals in 30 games, making him the second-highest goal scorer in the Czech League during the 2006–07 season. Because of his great performances, VfL Wolfsburg manager Felix Magath bought him for €4 million.

Playing for VfL Wolfsburg

Džeko celebrating the 2008–09 Bundesliga title with VfL Wolfsburg

After joining Wolfsburg, Džeko quickly made an impact. He scored five goals and helped with three assists in his first 11 games. Sportal magazine even named him the best striker in the first half of the 2007–08 Bundesliga season. In his first year in Germany, Wolfsburg finished fifth, which meant they qualified for the UEFA Cup the next season. Džeko ended that season with eight goals and seven assists.

His performance got even better after Wolfsburg signed his Bosnian teammate Zvjezdan Misimović in July 2008. In the 2008–09 Bundesliga season, Džeko scored 21 goals and made three more assists after the winter break. He was especially good during their ten-game winning streak, scoring 11 goals. In May 2009, Džeko scored a hat-trick against Hoffenheim, and again two weeks later against Hannover 96. He finished the season with 26 goals and 10 assists in 32 league matches.

He and his teammate Grafite formed a very successful attacking pair. Misimović, who provided many key passes, also set a record with 20 assists. These three players were known as "the magic triangle". Wolfsburg won the Bundesliga title for the first time in their history that season. Džeko was named the Bundesliga Players' Footballer of the Year. Even though A.C. Milan was interested in him, Džeko decided to stay and signed a new contract until June 2013.

He scored his first UEFA Champions League goal on September 30, 2009, against Manchester United. He was also nominated for the 2009 Ballon d'Or award. In the 2009–10 season, Džeko was the top scorer in the Bundesliga with 22 goals. On August 28, 2010, Džeko became Wolfsburg's all-time top league scorer with 59 goals.

Time at Manchester City

After much talk, Roberto Mancini, the manager of Manchester City, confirmed on January 3, 2011, that they had agreed to pay Wolfsburg £27 million (€32 million) for Džeko. This was one of City's highest transfer fees at the time. It also broke the record for a player leaving the Bundesliga and for any player from former Yugoslavia. In August 2014, he signed a new four-year deal with the club.

First Season: 2010–11

Džeko celebrates winning the FA Cup with Manchester City

Džeko officially became a Manchester City player on January 7, 2011, signing a four-and-a-half-year contract. He played his first game for the club on January 15 in a 4–3 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers. He helped set up a goal in that match.

He scored his first FA Cup goal on January 30, 2011, in a 1–1 draw against Notts County. In the replay, he scored again, helping City win 5–0. Džeko also scored two goals in a UEFA Europa League match against Aris Thessaloniki on February 24, 2011.

On April 25, 2011, Džeko scored his first Premier League goal against Blackburn Rovers. This was the only goal in a 1–0 win for Manchester City. His last goal of the season was against Bolton Wanderers, which secured City's third place in the league and a spot in the 2011–12 UEFA Champions League. On May 14, 2011, Džeko won his first trophy with City, the 2011 FA Cup Final, though he was an unused substitute.

Second Season: 2011–12

Džeko in City colours in 2011

Džeko started his second season by scoring a goal in the 2–3 defeat against Manchester United. In his third Premier League game, Džeko scored four goals against Tottenham. This made him the first Manchester City player to score four goals in one Premier League match. His six league goals in three games earned him the Premier League Player of the Month award for August.

He scored important goals, like a header against Wigan Athletic that secured a 1–0 win. He also scored against Porto in the Europa League. On the final day of the season, Džeko scored a crucial goal in the 92nd minute against Queens Park Rangers. This helped City win 3–2 and secure the Premier League title, their first in 44 years.

Third Season: 2012–13

Old teammates Sergio Agüero, Edin Džeko and David Silva

Džeko started the 2012–13 season with a goal against Southampton in a 3–2 win. He scored again against Queens Park Rangers. He also scored City's first goal in the Champions League campaign against Real Madrid. On September 29, he scored a winning goal in the 87th minute against Fulham, just one minute after coming on as a substitute.

On October 20, he came off the bench and scored a minute later. He scored a second goal in stoppage time to help City win against West Bromwich. On November 11, Džeko scored another late winning goal as a substitute against Tottenham Hotspur. He finished the season with 14 goals in the Premier League.

Fourth Season: 2013–14

In the 2013–14 Premier League season, Džeko started for new manager Manuel Pellegrini against Newcastle United. He scored his first goal in a 3–2 loss to Cardiff City. On December 28, 2013, Džeko scored his 50th goal in England against Crystal Palace.

On March 25, 2014, Džeko scored two goals in a 3–0 win against Manchester United in the Manchester Derby. His first goal came after only 43 seconds, making it the fastest away goal scored at Old Trafford in Premier League history. On April 27, he scored City's first goal in a 2–0 win over Crystal Palace, helping City close the gap on league leaders Liverpool.

He scored two goals against Everton on May 3, helping City win 3–2 and move to the top of the table. His second goal was City's 150th goal in all competitions that season. In City's second-to-last game against Aston Villa, Džeko scored two goals in a 4–0 win. This meant City would become champions with a draw against West Ham United on the final day, which they won.

Fifth Season: 2014–15

On August 17, 2014, Džeko assisted David Silva for Manchester City's first goal of the 2014–15 season in a 2–0 win over Newcastle United. On August 20, Džeko signed a new four-year contract with the club.

On September 24, Džeko scored his first two goals of the season as Manchester City beat Sheffield Wednesday 7–0 in the Football League Cup. On September 27, he scored twice again in City's 4–2 win away to Hull City, marking his first goals in the Premier League season. On February 21, 2015, Džeko ended a run of 15 games without a goal by scoring in a 5–0 home victory against Newcastle United.

Playing for Roma

Džeko with Roma in 2018

After much talk during the summer of 2015, Džeko officially joined Serie A club Roma on August 12, 2015. He initially joined on a loan deal, but it became a permanent move on October 1, 2015.

First Season: 2015–16

He made his Serie A debut ten days after joining Roma, in a 1–1 draw against Hellas Verona. In his second game on August 30, he scored the winning goal in the 79th minute to beat champions Juventus 2–1. On February 21, 2016, he scored his first two goals in a single game for Roma, helping them win 5–0 against Palermo.

Second Season: 2016–17

After a somewhat quiet first season where he scored 10 goals, Džeko started the 2016–17 season very strongly. He scored 12 goals in 15 league games and 17 goals overall in 20 matches. This was a start as good as Gabriel Batistuta's, who won the league title with Roma. On November 24, 2016, he scored a hat-trick in the UEFA Europa League, in a 4–1 win over Viktoria Plzeň. On February 16, 2017, he scored another hat-trick in a Europa League match against Villarreal, which Roma won 4–0.

On March 12, 2017, he became the fourth Roma player to reach 30 goals in all competitions in a single season. On April 1, 2017, Džeko became the first Roma player ever to score 33 goals in a season across all competitions, breaking the previous record. He finished the season with 39 goals in all competitions, and his 29 goals in Serie A made him the Capocannoniere (top scorer) for that season. He was the first Bosnian player to achieve this.

Third Season: 2017–18

Džeko started his third season with Roma by scoring six goals in his first five league games. He scored against Inter Milan on August 26, 2017. In the next two games, he scored two goals in each match against Verona and Benevento. He continued his scoring form by opening the score against A.C. Milan on October 1.

On October 9, Džeko was one of 30 players nominated for the 2017 Ballon d'Or award. Džeko then scored two goals against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on October 19. The game ended in a 3–3 draw. He also scored two goals against Napoli, helping his team to a 4–2 victory.

Džeko also helped Roma reach the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, their first in over 30 years. He scored in both quarter-final games against Barcelona, which Roma won on away goals. In the semi-finals, Džeko scored in both games, but Roma were eliminated by Liverpool. Džeko ended the season with 24 goals, including 8 goals in the Champions League.

Fourth Season: 2018–19

Džeko started his fourth season with Roma by scoring a winning goal against Torino on August 19. He scored his first UEFA Champions League hat-trick on October 2 against Viktoria Plzeň. He became the first Bosnian to score a hat-trick in Europe's top club competition.

On April 13, 2019, Džeko scored his 8th league goal against Udinese, giving Roma a win. He scored his 9th league goal on May 12, 2019, in a 2–0 home win against Juventus.

Fifth Season: 2019–20

Before the 2019–20 season, Džeko extended his contract with Roma until June 2022. He scored his first official goal of the new season on August 25, 2019, in a 3–3 home league draw against Genoa. On September 22, 2019, Džeko scored a goal in the 93rd minute in Roma's 2–1 away win over Bologna.

In a game against Cagliari on October 6, 2019, Džeko broke his cheekbone. He needed surgery and had to wear a protective mask in some games after recovering. He scored his 5th goal of the season for Roma in the club's 2–1 home league win against Milan on October 27, 2019. With a goal in a UEFA Europa League game against Wolfsberg on December 12, 2019, Džeko helped his team qualify for the next round of the 2019–20 UEFA Europa League season. He made his 200th appearance for the club on December 15, 2019.

Playing for Inter Milan

First Season: 2021–22

On August 14, 2021, Džeko joined Serie A club Inter Milan. He played in a friendly match against Ukrainian club Dynamo Kyiv and scored his side's second goal in a 3–0 win. Later that day, Inter announced he had signed a two-year deal. He scored his first official goal for the club in a 4–0 win against Genoa. In his first season, he scored 13 goals in 36 Serie A matches and a total of 17 goals with 10 assists in 49 matches across all competitions.

Second Season: 2022–23

On January 4, 2023, Džeko scored the only goal against league leaders Napoli, giving them their first league defeat of the season. Fourteen days later, he scored in the 3–0 win over Milan in the 2022 Supercoppa Italiana. He was named Man of the Match and became the oldest goalscorer in the competition's history at 36 years and 307 days.

On May 10, 2023, Džeko scored a goal in a 2–0 win over Milan in the Champions League semifinals. At 37 years and 54 days old, he became the second oldest player to score in the UCL semifinals. On June 3, 2023, Džeko played his 100th Inter match. On June 10, he started in Inter's UEFA Champions League final against his former team Manchester City. City won the match 1–0. Later that month, Džeko left Inter Milan after two seasons, during which he won four trophies and scored 31 goals.

Playing for Fenerbahçe

First Season: 2023–24

On June 22, 2023, Süper Lig club Fenerbahçe announced that Džeko had arrived in Istanbul to complete his transfer. He signed a two-year contract that same day. A month later, on July 26, he made his debut as captain, scoring a goal and providing two assists in a 5–0 win over Zimbru Chișinău in the Europa Conference League. At 37 years old, he became Fenerbahçe's oldest player and goalscorer in European competitions.

On August 13, he made his Süper Lig debut against Gaziantep, scoring both goals in a 2–1 win for Fenerbahçe. On October 29, he scored his first Süper Lig hat-trick in a 5–0 away win against Pendikspor. He finished his first season as Fenerbahçe's top scorer with 21 goals, ranking second in the league.

Second Season: 2024–25

In his second season with the club, Džeko started very strongly under new coach José Mourinho. On July 23, 2024, he made his season debut against Lugano in an UEFA Europa League qualifying game. He scored a hat-trick in a 4–3 win for Fenerbahçe.

International Football Career

Džeko playing for Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2015

Džeko first played for his home country with the Bosnia and Herzegovina national under-19 football team. He was also part of the under-21 team that played in the playoffs for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in 2007. Džeko scored one goal in that tournament.

He made his senior debut for the national team against Turkey on June 2, 2007. It was a memorable debut, as he scored a volleyed goal just before halftime. The goal made the score 2–2, and Bosnia went on to win 3–2.

On March 28, 2009, a Bosnian sports commentator, Marjan Mijajlović, nicknamed Džeko "the Bosnian Diamond" during a game against Belgium. Džeko scored a fantastic goal in that match.

He scored nine goals in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying games. He was the second highest goal scorer in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification, tied with England's Wayne Rooney.

On September 8, 2012, in an 8–1 win over Liechtenstein, Džeko scored his first hat-trick for the national team. At the same time, he became the leading goal scorer in the history of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team with 24 goals, breaking the previous record.

Džeko finished the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign as the second-top scorer with ten goals. This helped Bosnia and Herzegovina qualify for their first major tournament in history. In June 2014, Džeko was part of the Bosnian squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He played in the team's first group match against Argentina. On June 25, in the final group match against Iran, Džeko scored the first goal to help Bosnia and Herzegovina get their first ever FIFA World Cup win.

In August, after Emir Spahić retired from the national team, manager Safet Sušić named Džeko the new captain. On March 28, 2015, Džeko scored his second international hat-trick, scoring all three goals in a 3–0 away win over Andorra in UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying. On November 13, 2016, Džeko had an incident in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Greece. He received his first red card while playing for the national team.

On March 28, 2017, Džeko became the first Bosnian player to score 50 international goals. On March 23, 2019, he played his 100th game for Bosnia in a 2–1 win over Armenia in the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifiers.

How Edin Džeko Plays

Džeko is known for his strong physical presence, power, and ability to head the ball well. Experts and coaches consider him one of the best strikers in Europe. While he is mainly known for scoring goals, he is also a team player who provides many assists. He can shoot the ball well with both feet. Wherever he has played, he has scored many goals, mostly as a striker. His former Roma manager Luciano Spalletti once called him the "perfect example" of a striker. He said Džeko is "strong, tall, fast for his height, competitive, aggressive, and has good technique." When he was younger, he also played as a midfielder and a winger.

During his time with Manchester City, he was often called a "super-sub" because he scored many important goals after coming off the bench. However, he often said he didn't like that label.

Edin Džeko's Life

Džeko was born in Sarajevo, which was part of Yugoslavia at the time. His parents are Midhat and Belma Džeko. He has said that his family always supported him, especially his father, who took him to training when he was at Željezničar. His father also played football professionally in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Džeko is considered a local hero in Sarajevo.

Džeko was six years old when a difficult period began in Sarajevo, which lasted for three years. His family's home was destroyed, and 15 family members had to live in his grandparents' small apartment. He continued to play outside in his neighborhood. Once, his mother told him not to play outside, and on that day, a tragic event occurred on the local football pitch.

Džeko can speak five languages fluently: Bosnian, Czech, German, English, and Italian. He is a Muslim and has dual citizenship for both Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia. Džeko has said that Milan was always his favorite club, and Andriy Shevchenko was his favorite player. He still has a Milan jersey with Shevchenko's number 7 on his wall in Sarajevo. Džeko is also a cousin of former national team captain Emir Spahić.

In November 2009, Džeko became Bosnia's first UNICEF ambassador. He has visited schools and children in his home country. On July 6, 2012, Džeko began studying sport and physical education at the University of Sarajevo. He earned his bachelor's degree on September 10, 2018.

Džeko has been in a relationship with model and actress Amra Silajdžić since 2011, and they married in 2014. They have three daughters and a son.

Career Statistics

Club Matches

International Matches

Honours and Awards

VfL Wolfsburg

• Bundesliga: 2008–09

Manchester City

• Premier League: 2011–12, 2013–14
• FA Cup: 2010–11
• Football League Cup: 2013–14
• FA Community Shield: 2012

Inter Milan

• Coppa Italia: 2021–22, 2022–23
• Supercoppa Italiana: 2021, 2022

Individual Awards

• Bosnian Sportsman of the Year: 2009, 2018
• Bosnian Footballer of the Year: 2009, 2010, 2011
• Bundesliga Players' Player of the Year: 2008–09
• kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season: 2008–09, 2009–10
• Bundesliga top scorer (Torschützenkönig): 2009–10
• Serie A top scorer: 2016–17
• UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2017–18
• UEFA Europa League Top Scorer: 2016–17
• UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season: 2020–21
• Premier League Player of the Month: August 2011
• Roma Supporters' Player of the Season: 2017–18
• DFB-Pokal top scorer: 2008–09

Images for kids

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  Džeko playing for Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2015

See also

In Spanish: Edin Džeko para niños

• List of men's footballers with 1,000 or more official appearances
• List of top international men's football goalscorers by country
• List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps
• List of men's footballers with 50 or more international goals