Edin Džeko facts for kids

"Džeko" redirects here. For other people with the same surname, see Džeko (surname).

Quick facts for kids
Edin Džeko
Personal information
Džeko with Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2015
Full name	Edin Džeko
Date of birth	(1986-03-17) 17 March 1986 (age 39)
Place of birth	Sarajevo, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, SFR Yugoslavia
Height	1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Position(s)	Striker
Team information
Current team	Fiorentina
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)
2023–2025	Fenerbahçe	71	(35)
2025–	Fiorentina	0	(0)
International career^‡
2003–2004	Bosnia and Herzegovina U19	5	(0)
2006–2007	Bosnia and Herzegovina U21	4	(1)
2007–	Bosnia and Herzegovina	141	(68)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 26 May 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 7 June 2025, 15:00 UTC

Edin Džeko (born on March 17, 1986) is a professional footballer from Bosnia. He plays as a striker for Serie A club Fiorentina. He is also the captain of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team.

Edin Džeko is the all-time top goalscorer and the player with the most appearances for his country's national team. Fans and journalists in Bosnia and Herzegovina call him "the Bosnian Diamond" or simply "Diamond." He was named Bosnian Footballer of the Year three times in a row.

Before joining Fiorentina, Džeko played for several big clubs. These include Manchester City, Roma, Inter Milan, and Fenerbahçe. He became famous while playing for the German club VfL Wolfsburg. With Wolfsburg, he won the Bundesliga title in the 2008–09 season. He was the second-highest goalscorer that season with 26 goals. In the 2009–10 season, Džeko was the top scorer with 22 goals.

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

Džeko played for Bosnia and Herzegovina's youth teams before making his senior international debut in 2007. He has played over 140 games and scored more than 65 goals for his country. In 2012, he became Bosnia and Herzegovina's all-time leading goalscorer. In 2018, he became the most-capped player for his country. His ten goals in the qualifying games helped his national team reach their first major international tournament, the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Club Journey

Starting Out

Džeko began his career at Željezničar in Bosnia. He played as a midfielder from 2003 to 2005. At first, he wasn't very successful in that position. Some thought he was too tall and not skilled enough. 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.

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

Time at 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 set up three others in his first 11 games. Sportal magazine even called him the best striker in the first half of the 2007–08 season. Wolfsburg finished fifth that season, which meant they qualified for the UEFA Cup. Džeko ended his first season with eight goals and seven assists.

His performance got even better after Wolfsburg signed his Bosnian teammate Zvjezdan Misimović in 2008. In the 2008–09 Bundesliga season, Džeko scored 26 goals and made 10 assists. He scored a hat-trick against Hoffenheim and another against Hannover 96. He and his teammate Grafite formed a very successful attacking duo. Misimović also set a record for assists. These three players were known as "the magic triangle."

Wolfsburg won the Bundesliga title for the first time in their history that season. They finished two points ahead of Bayern Munich. Džeko's great play earned him the Bundesliga Players' Footballer of the Year award. Even though A.C. Milan was interested, Džeko chose to stay and signed a new contract until 2013.

He scored his first UEFA Champions League goal in 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. By August 2010, Džeko became Wolfsburg's all-time top league scorer with 59 goals.

Moving to Manchester City

In January 2011, Roberto Mancini, the manager of Manchester City, confirmed that they had agreed to buy Džeko from Wolfsburg. The transfer fee was £27 million (€32 million). This was one of the highest transfer fees in Premier League history 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 Manchester City.

Winning Trophies

Džeko celebrates winning the FA Cup with Manchester City

Džeko officially joined Manchester City on January 7, 2011, signing a four-and-a-half-year deal. He made his debut on January 15 in a 4–3 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers. He scored his first FA Cup goal on January 30 against Notts County. He also scored twice in the Europa League against Aris Thessaloniki.

On April 25, 2011, Džeko scored his first Premier League goal against Blackburn Rovers. This goal secured a 1–0 win for City. His last goal of that season was against Bolton Wanderers. This goal helped City finish third in the league and qualify for the 2011–12 UEFA Champions League. On May 14, 2011, Džeko won his first trophy with City, the FA Cup.

Key Goals and Awards

Džeko in City colours in 2011

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

He scored important goals throughout the season, including a header against Wigan Athletic and a goal 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 goal helped City win the game 3–2 and secure the Premier League title.

More Success

Sergio Agüero, Džeko and David Silva with Manchester City in 2013

In the 2012–13 season, Džeko continued to score important goals. He scored against Southampton and Queens Park Rangers. He also scored in the Champions League against Real Madrid. On September 29, he scored a winning goal against Fulham just one minute after coming on as a substitute. He also scored two late goals to help City win against West Bromwich. He finished the season with 14 goals in the Premier League.

For the 2013–14 Premier League season, Džeko started under new manager Manuel Pellegrini. He scored his first goal against Cardiff City. On December 28, 2013, he scored his 50th goal in England against Crystal Palace. On March 25, 2014, Džeko scored twice in a 3–0 win against Manchester United. His first goal came after only 43 seconds, making it the fastest away goal at Old Trafford in Premier League history. He scored two goals against Aston Villa in City's second-to-last game, helping them win 4–0. This result meant City would win the league title with a draw in their final game, which they did.

In the 2014–15 season, Džeko signed a new four-year contract. He scored his first two goals of the season against Sheffield Wednesday in the Football League Cup. He also scored twice against Hull City in the Premier League.

Joining Roma

Džeko with Roma in 2018

In August 2015, Džeko officially joined Roma in Serie A. He first joined on a loan deal, which later became a permanent transfer.

First Seasons in Italy

He made his Serie A debut on August 22, 2015, in a 1–1 draw against Hellas Verona. In his second game, he scored the winning goal against Juventus. In February 2016, he scored two goals in a 5–0 win over Palermo.

After a less successful first season, Džeko started the 2016–17 season very strongly. He scored 12 goals in 15 league games. In November 2016, he scored a hat-trick in the UEFA Europa League against Viktoria Plzeň. In February 2017, he scored another hat-trick in the Europa League against Villarreal. By March 2017, he became the fourth Roma player to score 30 goals in a single season.

On April 1, 2017, Džeko became the first Roma player to score 33 goals in a season across all competitions. He ended the season with 39 goals in total, 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.

Champions League Heroics

Džeko started his third season at Roma with six goals in his first five league games. He scored against Inter Milan, Verona, and Benevento. He also scored against A.C. Milan in a 2–0 away win. In October, he was nominated for the 2017 Ballon d'Or award. Džeko scored two goals against Chelsea in a thrilling 3–3 draw. He also scored two goals against Napoli in a 4–2 victory.

Džeko played a key role in Roma reaching the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, their first in over 30 years. He scored the winning goal against Shakhtar Donetsk. He was also crucial in Roma's amazing comeback against Barcelona in the quarter-finals, scoring in both games. Roma won on away goals. In the semi-finals, Džeko scored in both games against Liverpool, but Roma was eliminated. He finished the season with 24 goals, including 8 in the Champions League.

Later Roma Years

Džeko started his fourth season with Roma by scoring the winning goal against Torino in August 2018. On October 2, he scored his first UEFA Champions League hat-trick against Viktoria Plzeň. He was the first Bosnian player to score a hat-trick in this top European club competition.

In August 2019, Džeko extended his contract with Roma until June 2022. He scored his first goal of the 2019–20 season against Genoa. In September, he scored a 93rd-minute goal to win the game against Bologna. In October 2019, Džeko fractured his cheekbone and had to wear a protective mask for some games. He made his 200th appearance for Roma in December 2019.

Time at Inter Milan

On August 14, 2021, Džeko joined Serie A club Inter Milan. He scored his first goal for Inter in a 4–0 win against Genoa. In his first season, he scored 13 goals in 36 Serie A matches and had 17 goals and 10 assists in all competitions.

More Trophies and Records

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 a 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 a UCL semifinal. On June 3, 2023, Džeko played his 100th game for Inter. On June 10, he started in the Champions League final against his former club, Manchester City. Inter lost 1–0. Džeko left Inter Milan after two seasons, having won four trophies and scored 31 goals.

Playing for Fenerbahçe

On June 22, 2023, Süper Lig club Fenerbahçe announced that Džeko was joining them. He signed a two-year contract. A month later, on July 26, he debuted as captain, scoring a goal and providing two assists in a 5–0 win against Zimbru Chișinău in the Europa Conference League. At 37, 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. On October 29, he scored his first Süper Lig hat-trick against Pendikspor. He finished his first season as Fenerbahçe's top scorer with 21 goals.

In his second season, Džeko started very well under new coach José Mourinho. On July 23, 2024, he scored a hat-trick against Lugano in an UEFA Europa League qualifying game.

Return to Serie A with Fiorentina

On June 19, 2025, Džeko returned to Serie A, joining Fiorentina on a one-year deal.

International Career

Džeko playing for Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2015

Džeko first played for his home country with the under-19 team. He was also part of the under-21 team that played in the playoffs for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in 2007.

He made his senior debut for Bosnia and Herzegovina against Turkey on June 2, 2007. It was a memorable debut, as he scored a volleyed goal in the first half. This goal tied the score at 2–2, and Bosnia went on to win 3–2.

In 2009, a Bosnian sports commentator, Marjan Mijajlović, nicknamed Džeko "the Bosnian Diamond." This happened during a game against Belgium where Džeko scored an amazing goal.

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

On September 8, 2012, Džeko scored his first hat-trick for the national team in an 8–1 win over Liechtenstein. With these goals, he became the leading goal scorer in the history of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team with 24 goals. He broke the record previously held by Elvir Bolić.

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 ever. 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. This helped Bosnia and Herzegovina get their first ever FIFA World Cup win.

In August 2014, 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 against Andorra.

On March 28, 2017, Džeko became the first Bosnian player to score 50 international goals. On March 23, 2019, he made his 100th appearance for Bosnia in a 2–1 win over Armenia. On June 14, 2022, Džeko became his country's oldest player at 36 years and 2 months. On September 7, 2024, he became Bosnia and Herzegovina's oldest goalscorer at 38 years and 5 months. On June 7, 2025, Džeko scored the only goal in a 1–0 win over San Marino. At 39 years old, he became UEFA’s oldest goalscorer in a FIFA World Cup qualification game.

How Edin Džeko Plays

Džeko is known for his strong physical presence, power, and ability to head the ball well. Many experts consider him one of the best strikers in Europe. While he is famous for scoring goals, he is also a very giving player. He often provides many assists to his teammates. He is also known for being able to shoot with both feet equally well.

Throughout his career, he has scored many goals, mainly playing as a striker. His former Roma manager, Luciano Spalletti, once called him the "perfect prototype" of a striker. He said Džeko is "strong, tall, fast for his height, combative, aggressive and has good technique." When he was younger, he also played as a midfielder and a winger.

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

About Edin Džeko's Life

Edin Džeko was born in Sarajevo, which was then part of Yugoslavia. 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 played for Željezničar. His father also played football professionally in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Džeko is seen as a local hero in Sarajevo.

When Džeko was six years old, his city, Sarajevo, was under attack for three years. His family's home was destroyed. Fifteen family members had to live in his grandparents' small apartment. He still tried to play football outside in his neighborhood. One day, his mother told him not to play outside, and a missile hit the local football field, sadly harming several children. This experience made him appreciate life and football even more.

Džeko can speak five languages fluently: Bosnian, Czech, German, English, and Italian. He is a Muslim and has dual citizenship for Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia. Džeko has said that Milan has always been his favorite club, and Andriy Shevchenko was his favorite player. Džeko is also a first 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 who were affected by the Bosnian War. In 2012, Džeko started studying sport and physical education at the University of Sarajevo. He earned his bachelor's degree in 2018.

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

Honours

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
UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2022–23

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
Bundesliga top scorer: 2009–10
Serie A top scorer: 2016–17
UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2017–18
UEFA Europa League Top Scorer: 2016–17
Premier League Player of the Month: August 2011