Adrian Zeljković
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 19 August 2002 | ||
| Place of birth | Žalec, Slovenia[1] | ||
| Height | 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) | ||
| Position | Defensive midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team |
MTK Budapest (on loan from Viktoria Plzeň) | ||
| Number | 80 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2017 | Žalec | ||
| 2017 | Maribor | ||
| 2017–2018 | Šampion | ||
| 2018–2020 | Celje | ||
| 2020–2021 | Olimpija Ljubljana | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2020–2021 | Olimpija Ljubljana | 4 | (0) |
| 2021–2023 | Tabor Sežana | 37 | (1) |
| 2023–2025 | Spartak Trnava | 56 | (5) |
| 2025– | Viktoria Plzeň | 13 | (0) |
| 2026– | → MTK Budapest (loan) | 2 | (1) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2019 | Slovenia U17 | 1 | (0) |
| 2022–2025 | Slovenia U21 | 17 | (2) |
| 2024– | Slovenia | 3 | (0) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 14 February 2026 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 18 June 2025 | |||
Adrian Zeljković (born 19 August 2002) is a Slovenian footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for MTK Budapest, on loan from Viktoria Plzeň, and for the Slovenia national team.
Club career
Zeljković started playing football in his hometown of Žalec.[2] He went on to play for the youth teams of several Slovenian football clubs, including Maribor, Celje and Olimpija Ljubljana.[3] Zeljković joined Slovak club Spartak Trnava in July 2023, signing a four-year contract.[4] On 12 May 2025, Zeljković signed a four-year contract with Czech First League club Viktoria Plzeň for a reported transfer fee of €1.5 million.[5][6] He made his European debut for the club in a 3–1 win over Servette, where he got sent off in the 66th minute.[7] On 3 February 2026, Zeljković joined MTK Budapest on a half-year loan deal with an option to make the transfer permanent.[8]
International career
In November 2023, Zeljković scored his first goal for the Slovenia under-21 team in a 1–1 friendly draw against Turkey.[9] He made his debut for the senior team in a January 2024 friendly against the United States.[10][11]
Personal life
Zeljković's older brother Aleksandar is also a footballer.[12]
Honours
Spartak Trnava
Individual
- Spartak Trnava Footballer of the Year: 2024[14]
References
- ^ "Profile Adrian Zeljković, Spartak Trnava: Info, news, matches and statistics". BeSoccer. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ Viškovič, Rok (8 December 2023). "Še en talent, ki je spolzel iz rok Maribora, Olimpije in tudi Celja". Sportklub (in Slovenian). Retrieved 26 March 2025.
- ^ Plestenjak, Rok (29 June 2024). "Biser slovenskega nogometa, ki mu je v enem letu uspel meteorski vzpon". Siol (in Slovenian). Retrieved 26 March 2025.
- ^ "Novým hráčom v tíme je Adrian Zeljkovič". FC Spartak Trnava (in Slovak). 17 July 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
- ^ "Slovinský defenzivní záložník Adrian Zeljković je první letní posilou fotbalistů Plzně". Oneplay (in Czech). Czech News Agency. 12 May 2025. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
- ^ Matis, Peter (14 May 2025). "DAC s masívnym zárobkom, Spartak zas s predajom pod cenu? Špekulácie o nedávnych prestupoch naberajú na sile". tvnoviny.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 20 May 2025.
- ^ Irvine, David (1 August 2025). "Key Viktoria Plzen ace ruled out of Rangers Champions League clash". Rangers Review. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
- ^ Machálek, René (3 February 2026). "Přetlak v záloze Plzně! Slovinec mizí na hostování s opcí, přednost dostanou zimní posily". eFotbal.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 3 February 2026.
- ^ "Adrian Zeljković je uspešno leto 2023 kronal še z golom za mlado reprezentanco, Slovenija je remizirala s Turčijo". Nogomania (in Slovenian). 17 November 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
- ^ "Kekovemu izbrancu Slovaki zapirajo vrata Serie A". Sportklub (in Slovenian). 25 January 2024. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
- ^ "Adrian Zeljković, international football player". eu-football.info. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ Dominko, Peter (20 July 2023). "Zeljković zaostril konkurenco v zadnji vrsti Aluminija". Ptujinfo (in Slovenian). Retrieved 26 March 2025.
- ^ "Kar trije slovenski nogometaši na praznik dela do lovorike: Erik Kojzek slavi v Avstriji, Žiga Frelih in Adrian Zeljković na Slovaškem". Planet Nogomet (in Slovenian). 1 May 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- ^ Král, Ján (9 December 2024). "Titul najlepší hráč Spartaka získal Zeljkovič, top mládežníkom bol Trello". Trnavský Hlas (in Slovak). Retrieved 26 March 2025.
External links
- Adrian Zeljković national team profile at NZS (in Slovene)
- Adrian Zeljković club profile at NZS (in Slovene)
- Adrian Zeljković at Soccerway.com
- Adrian Zeljković at WorldFootball.net
- Adrian Zeljković at National-Football-Teams.com
- Adrian Zeljković at kicker (in German)