Rijad Telalović

Rijad Telalović
Personal information
Date of birth (2008-09-28) 28 September 2008
Place of birth Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Position Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Sarajevo
Number 5
Youth career
2015–2025 Čelik Zenica
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2025–2026 Čelik Zenica 10 (3)
2026– Sarajevo 10 (0)
International career‡
2025– Bosnia and Herzegovina U19 9 (1)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 25 May 2026
‡ National team caps and goals as of 31 March 2026

Rijad Telalović (born 28 September 2008) is a Bosnian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Bosnian Premier League club Sarajevo and the Bosnia and Herzegovina national under-19 football team. He is regarded as one of the biggest prospects in Bosnian football.[1][2]

Club career

Telalović began his career in the youth system of NK Čelik Zenica and made his senior debut for the club during the 2024–25 season in a cup match.[3] In the first half of the 2025–26 season, he established himself as a regular member of the first team.[4] In January 2026, he signed a contract with FK Sarajevo running until the end of 2028, with the transfer reportedly valued at €200,000.[5] He made his debut for the club on 6 February 2026, appearing as a second-half substitute against Radnik Bijeljina.[6] On 15 February, he made his first start in an away match against Sloga Doboj.[7]

International career

Telalović has represented Bosnia and Herzegovina at youth international level. In 2025 and 2026 he appeared for the Bosnia and Herzegovina under-19 national team, earning at least four caps and scoring one goal in international competition.[8]

Style of play

Telalović primarily operates as a central midfielder, with the versatility to play in both defensive and central midfield roles. He has been noted for his composure in possession and tactical awareness relative to his age.[9]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 25 May 2026[10]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Čelik Zenica 2024–25 First League of FBiH 001010
2025–26 First League of FBiH 10310113
Total 10320123
Sarajevo 2025–26 Bosnian Premier League 10020120
Career total 20340243
  1. ↑ Includes Bosnian Cup

References

  1. ↑ "Iako ima samo 16 godina, biser Čelika izgleda nevjerovatno". SportBC.ba. 3 September 2025. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  2. ↑ "Veliki transfer u BiH: Čelik ostao bez bisera, Telalović potpisuje za Sarajevo". Sport.ba. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  3. ↑ "Rijad Telalović: "U NK Čeliku sam naučio najviše, želim uspjeti i u FK Sarajevo"". SportSport.ba. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  4. ↑ "Rijad Telalović potpisao ugovor sa Čelikom". MeridianSport.ba. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  5. ↑ "Rijad Telalović potpisao ugovor do 2028. godine". FK Sarajevo official website. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  6. ↑ "Sarajevo trijumfom protiv Radnika otvorilo drugi dio prvenstva, Menalo pogodio u debiju". Klix.ba. 6 February 2026. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  7. ↑ "Sarajevo u 89. minuti stiglo do pobjede u Doboju, Krdžalić junak Bordo tima". Klix.ba. 15 February 2026. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  8. ↑ "Rijad Telalović – UEFA Under-19 profile". UEFA.com. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  9. ↑ "Veliki transfer u BiH: Čelik ostao bez bisera, Telalović potpisuje za Sarajevo". Sport.ba. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  10. ↑ "Rijad Telalovic Stats". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 25 May 2026.