Saša Kalajdžić

Saša Kalajdžić
Kalajdžić with VfB Stuttgart in 2022
Personal information
Full name Saša Kalajdžić[1]
Date of birth (1997-07-07) 7 July 1997[2]
Place of birth Vienna, Austria
Height 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in)[3]
Position Striker
Team information
Current team
 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Number 18
Youth career
2004–2006 SV Donau
2006–2010 SR Donaufeld Wien
2010–2014 First Vienna FC
2014–2015 SR Donaufeld Wien
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2016 SR Donaufeld Wien 18 (7)
2016–2018 Admira Wacker II 33 (13)
2017–2019 Admira Wacker 33 (11)
2019–2022 VfB Stuttgart 57 (23)
2022– Wolverhampton Wanderers 13 (2)
2024 → Eintracht Frankfurt (loan) 5 (0)
2025–2026 → LASK (loan) 22 (6)
International career‡
2017–2019 Austria U21 6 (0)
2020– Austria 25 (5)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 23:31, 10 May 2026 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 18:30, 3 July 2026 (UTC)

Saša Kalajdžić (Serbian Cyrillic: Саша Калајџић; born 7 July 1997) is an Austrian professional footballer who plays as a striker for EFL Championship club Wolverhampton Wanderers and the Austria national team.

Kalajdžić began his senior career in the third and fourth tiers of Austrian football with SR Donaufeld Wien. In 2016, he signed for Austrian Bundesliga club Admira Wacker, where he scored twelve goals in 35 matches for the first team. Kalajdžić joined German club VfB Stuttgart in July 2019, only to sustain a serious knee injury shortly after joining and not making his debut until May 2020. However, he went on to score 24 goals in 60 matches for the club. In August 2022, Kalajdžić was signed by English club Wolverhampton Wanderers for a reported fee of £15 million.

Kalajdžić played for Austria at under-21 level before making his senior international debut in October 2020. He was part of Austria's squad at the UEFA Euro 2020 and 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Club career

FC Admira Wacker Mödling

Kalajdžić with Admira Wacker in 2017

Born in the Austrian capital Vienna, Kalajdžić joined FC Admira Wacker Mödling in 2016, from SR Donaufeld Wien.[4] He originally played as a midfielder for the club's reserve side in the Austrian Regionalliga East, before being converted into a forward.[4]

VfB Stuttgart

On 5 July 2019, Kalajdžić signed a four-year contract with German club VfB Stuttgart.[5] Shortly after his arrival, he suffered a torn cruciate ligament during a preseason training camp.[6] He made his league debut on 28 May 2020, coming on as a substitute in the 78th minute of Matchday 28 of the 2019–20 2. Bundesliga season against Hamburger SV, and scored his first goal on Matchday 33 during a 6–0 victory against FC Nuremberg.[7]

The following season, Kalajdžić frequently led the line for VfB Stuttgart, finishing the season as the sixth top scorer in the Bundesliga with 16 goals,[8] helping the club finished ninth place. The next season, he scored the winner in Stuttgart's 3–2 victory against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Matchday 25,[9] and the team's first goal in a 2–1 victory against 1. FC Köln on the final matchday, leading the club's presence in the Bundesliga for the 2022–23 season.[10]

Wolverhampton Wanderers

On 31 August 2022, Kalajdžić signed for English club Wolverhampton Wanderers on a five-year contract with the option to extend for a further year.[11] The fee was undisclosed by the club, but was reported to be £15 million.[12] He made his Premier League debut three days later as a starter in a 1–0 victory against Southampton at Molineux, but was replaced at half-time due to injury, which was later confirmed as an ACL tear that required surgery.[13][14] Wolves subsequently announced that Kalajdžić underwent reparative surgery on 6 September and warned that the typical rehabilitation period after such a procedure was nine months.[15]

In an away league match against Manchester United on 14 August 2023, Kalajdžić made his second appearance for Wolves – as well as first since 3 September 2022 – as a late substitute. Again, he entered the field as a late substitute against Everton on 26 August and proceeded to score his first goal for Wolves in the 87th minute to help them win 1–0 at Goodison Park.[16] Kalajdžić scored his second goal for Wolves in his next match, as well as his first start for the club since 3 September 2022, a home one in the EFL Cup against Blackpool on 29 August 2023 in which Wolves won 5–0.[17] In a 2–1 away victory against Bournemouth on 21 October 2023, Kalajdžić scored his second Premier League goal as a substitute again in a 2–1 Wolves.[18]

Loan to Eintracht Frankfurt

On 7 January 2024, Kalajdžić was sent on loan to Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt until the end of the 2023–24 season.[19] On 15 February, he scored his first goal for the club in a 2–2 away draw against Union Saint-Gilloise during the Conference League knockout round play-offs.[20] On 18 February, Kalajdžić suffered a third ACL tear for five years in a Bundesliga match against SC Freiburg.[21]

Return to Wolverhampton and loan to LASK

Kalajdžić missed the entire 2024–25 season due to his ACL injury.[22]

On 5 September 2025, Kalajdžić went on loan for the second time, this time to Austrian club LASK.[23] On 30 January 2026, he scored his first goal for the club in a 3–2 victory over Blau-Weiß Linz in the Austrian Cup.[24] Later that year, on 26 April, he netted a brace, including a goal from his own half, and provided an assist in a 5–1 away victory against TSV Hartberg.[25]

International career

Kalajdžić made six appearances for Austria at under-21 level.[26] He made his senior international debut for Austria on 14 October 2020, in a Nations League 1–0 victory against Romania, as an extra-time substitute for Michael Gregoritsch.[27]

On 25 March 2021, Kalajdžić scored his first two international goals in a 2–2 away draw with Scotland during 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification.[28] He was included in the squad for Euro 2020, scoring a goal in a 2–1 loss after extra-time against Italy in the round of 16.[29]

On 18 May 2026, Kalajdžić was selected in Ralf Rangnick’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking Austria's first appearance in the tournament since 1998.[30] One month later, on 27 June, he scored his first World Cup goal in the stoppage time, equalising in a 3–3 draw against Algeria and securing his country's qualification for the knockout stage.[31]

Style of play

Kalajdžić jumping for a header in 2018

Due to his two-metre stature and relatively slender build, Kalajdžić received comparisons with the English striker Peter Crouch, who similarly to him functioned as an out-and-out target man. During his youth career, Kalajdžić also played as a holding midfielder and referred to Nemanja Matić as an inspiration.[32][33]

Personal life

Born in Austria, Kalajdžić is of Serbian descent.[34][35][36]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 10 May 2026
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
SR Donaufeld Wien 2014–15[26] Austrian Regionalliga East 2000——20
2015–16[26] Wiener Stadtliga 16700——167
Total 18700——187
Admira Wacker Amateure 2016–17[37] Austrian Regionalliga East 2710———2710
2017–18[37] 33———33
2018–19[37] 30———30
Total 3313———3313
Admira Wacker 2017–18[37] Austrian Bundesliga 18321——204
2018–19[37] 15800—00158
Total 331121—003512
VfB Stuttgart 2019–20[37] 2. Bundesliga 6100——61
2020–21[37] Bundesliga 331631——3617
2021–22[37] 15600——156
2022–23[37] 3000——30
Total 572331——6024
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2022–23[37] Premier League 100000—10
2023–24[37] 1120021—133
2025–26 10—10—20
Total 1320031—163
Eintracht Frankfurt (loan) 2023–24[37] Bundesliga 50——1[c]161
LASK (loan) 2025–26 Austrian Bundesliga 22641——267
Career total 1816293311119467

International

As of match played 2 July 2026[38]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Austria 202020
202194
202240
202340
202661
Total255
Scores and results list Austria's goal tally first. Score column indicates score after each Kalajdžić goal.[38]
List of international goals scored by Saša Kalajdžić
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
125 March 2021Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland3 Scotland1–02–22022 FIFA World Cup qualification[39]
22–1
328 March 2021Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna, Austria4 Faroe Islands3–13–1[40]
426 June 2021Wembley Stadium, London, England11 Italy1–21–2 (a.e.t.)UEFA Euro 2020[41]
527 June 2026Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, United States24 Algeria3–33–32026 FIFA World Cup

Honours

LASK

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "2022/23 Premier League squad lists". Premier League. 16 September 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  2. ↑ "Saša Kalajdžić". Premier League. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  3. ↑ "Sasa Kalajdzic". wolves.co.uk. Retrieved 18 August 2026.
  4. 1 2 "Rapid-Stürmersuche: Admiras Kalajdzic soll es richten". kurier.at (in German). 29 January 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  5. ↑ "VfB sign Sasa Kalajdzic". VfB Stuttgart. 5 July 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  6. ↑ "3:2 nach 0:2! VfB kommt zurück und schlägt den HSV". Kicker (in German). Retrieved 17 July 2026.
  7. ↑ "Doppelpacker Gonzalez und Karazor: Stuttgart fertigt Nürnberg ab". Kicker (in German). Retrieved 17 July 2026.
  8. ↑ "Robert Lewandowski, Erling Haaland, Andrej Kramaric and the race to become the Bundesliga's top scorer". Bundesliga. 22 May 2021. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
  9. ↑ "Der coole Kalajdzic krönt eine famose VfB-Aufholjagd". Kicker (in German). Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  10. ↑ "Wataru Endo's injury-time winner over Cologne seals dramatic salvation for VfB Stuttgart". Bundesliga. 15 May 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  11. ↑ "Kalajdzic completes Wolves move". Wolverhampton Wanderers FC. 31 August 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  12. ↑ "Wolves complete signing of Sasa Kalajdzic from Stuttgart for £15m". BBC Sport. 31 August 2022.
  13. ↑ Howarth, Matthew (3 September 2022). "Wolverhampton Wanderers 1–0 Southampton: Daniel Podence earns hosts first league win of season". BBC Sport.
  14. ↑ Procter, Tom (5 September 2022). "Wolves striker Sasa Kalajdzic to undergo surgery for torn ACL". Molineux News.
  15. ↑ "Injury update: Kalajdzic, Jimenez and Chiquinho". Wolverhampton Wanderers. 16 September 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  16. ↑ Hafez, Shamoon (26 August 2023). "Everton 0–1 Wolves: Sasa Kalajdzic scores late winner for visitors". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  17. ↑ "Wolverhampton Wanderers 5–0 Blackpool: Matt Doherty scores twice as hosts progress". BBC Sport. 29 August 2023.
  18. ↑ Mail, Simon (21 October 2023). "Kalajdzic completes Wolves comeback win at 10-man Bournemouth". The Observer. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  19. ↑ "Eintracht verpflichtet Sasa Kalajdzic" [Eintracht signs Sasa Kalajdzic]. Eintracht Frankfurt (in German). 7 January 2024.
  20. ↑ "Union Saint-Gilloise 2–2 Eintracht Frankfurt". BBC Sport. 15 February 2024.
  21. ↑ "Diagnose Sasa Kalajdzic". Eintracht Frankfurt. 18 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  22. ↑ "Summer Special | Sasa Kalajdzic". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 12 June 2025.
  23. ↑ "Kalajdzic returns to Austria on loan". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 5 September 2025.
  24. ↑ ""Die Dramaturgie war unglaublich"". LASK Linz (in German). 2 February 2026.
  25. ↑ "Sasa Kalajdzic scores from halfway line as on-loan Wolves striker hits purple patch". OneFootball. OneFootball GmbH. 27 April 2026.
  26. 1 2 3 "S. Kalajdžić". BeSoccer. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  27. ↑ "Einzelkritik zu Rumänien gegen Österreich". Laola1 (in German). 14 October 2020.
  28. ↑ "Scotland 2–2 Austria". BBC Sport. 25 March 2021.
  29. ↑ "Sasa Kalajdzic scores as Austria suffer late defeat against Italy". The Athletic. 7 June 2021. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
  30. ↑ "Alaba, Arnautovic feature as Austria name World Cup squad". 18 May 2026. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  31. ↑ "Mahrez double denied as Kalajdzic rescues Austria against Algeria". OneFootball. OneFootball GmBH. 28 June 2026.
  32. ↑ Burton, Chris (13 March 2021). "Stuttgart striker Sasa Kalajdzic issues come-and-get-me plea to Liverpool". Goal. United States. Archived from the original on 20 November 2022.
  33. ↑ "Sasa Kalajdzic: Who is the VfB Stuttgart and Austria striker?". Bundesliga. 7 January 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
  34. ↑ Српски Џин У Дресу Аустрије – Саша Калајџић на мети Келна, Штутгарта, Лидса. srbin.info (in Serbian). 17 June 2019. Archived from the original on 20 November 2022.
  35. ↑ "VfB Stuttgart striker Sasa Kalajdzic on Peter Crouch comparisons and living the dream in the Bundesliga". Bundesliga.
  36. ↑ Hagenauer, Andreas (18 May 2021). "Saša Kalajdžić: Golgeter". Telesport (in Croatian). Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  37. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Saša Kalajdžić at Soccerway. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  38. 1 2 "Kalajdžić, Saša". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  39. ↑ "Scotland vs. Austria 2–2: Summary". Soccerway. 25 March 2021.
  40. ↑ "Austria vs. Faroe Islands 3–1: Summary". Soccerway. 28 March 2021.
  41. ↑ "Italy vs. Austria 2–1: Summary". Soccerway. 26 June 2021.
  42. ↑ "Fairy tale completed! LASK crowns itself champion". LASK. 17 May 2026. Retrieved 19 August 2026.
  43. ↑ "Nach 61 Jahren: LASK bejubelt Titel im UNIQA ÖFB Cup" [After 61 years: LASK celebrate title in the UNIQA ÖFB Cup]. ÖFB (in Austrian German). 1 May 2026. Archived from the original on 2 May 2026. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
  44. ↑ "Saša Kalajdžić crowned Player of the Month". Wolverhampton Wanderers. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
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