Dejan Joveljić (Serbian Cyrillic: Дејан Јовељић; born 7 August 1999) is a Serbian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Major League Soccer club LA Galaxy and the Serbia national team.

Dejan Joveljić
Personal information
Full name Dejan Joveljić[1]
Date of birth (1999-08-07) 7 August 1999 (age 25)[1]
Place of birth Bijeljina, Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina[1]
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Position(s) Striker[1]
Team information
Current team
LA Galaxy
Number 9
Youth career
2010 Sloga United
2010–2018 Red Star Belgrade
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2019 Red Star Belgrade 21 (11)
2019–2021 Eintracht Frankfurt 4 (0)
2020Anderlecht (loan) 5 (1)
2020–2021Wolfsberger AC (loan) 34 (18)
2021– LA Galaxy 111 (39)
International career
2014–2015 Serbia U16 14 (6)
2015–2016 Serbia U17 17 (11)
2015–2017 Serbia U18 6 (6)
2017–2018 Serbia U19 11 (4)
2017–2019 Serbia U21 12 (3)
2021– Serbia 6 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16:46, 15 September 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21:05, 20 June 2023 (UTC)

Club career

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Red Star Belgrade

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2016–17 season

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Born in Bijeljina, Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Joveljić played with the local club Sloga Junajted, before he joined Serbian top-tier club Red Star Belgrade in his early years.[2] After almost seven years with the club, passing the whole youth categories,[3] Joveljić signed his first professional contract on 16 March 2016, along with several teammates.[4] Joveljić joined the first team under coach Miodrag Božović in 2016, but did not play official matches during the 2016–17 Serbian SuperLiga campaign due to mononucleosis he was diagnosed with in August 2016.[5] In the meantime, he was listed in top 60 youth footballers by The Guardian.[6] After he missed the rest of 2016 without training, Joveljić returned to the field in early 2017, playing with youth team until the end of a season.[7] He was also nominated as one of the competitors for the Golden Boy award in 2017.[8]

2017–18 season

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In summer 2017, Joveljić presented as one of the club's top 10 youth prospects and passed the whole pre-season training with the first squad.[9] He became a regular member of the first team from the beginning of September 2017, after a furious period in the Serbian youth league. He was named as the third choice striker behind Richmond Boakye and Aleksandar Pešić.[10] Later, on 19 September same year, Joveljić extended his contract with the club until 2021.[11] He spent his first time in protocol for a senior game sitting on the bench as an unused substitution for a match against Mladost Lučani on 22 October 2017.[12] He made his official debut for Red Star Belgrade on 10 December 2017, replacing Pešić in 70 minute of the Serbian SuperLiga match against Borac Čačak.[13] On 5 May 2018, Joveljić got his first time in the starting lineup for a senior game, scoring a twice in 5–0 home victory over Spartak Subotica.[14] Finally, Joveljić scored in the last match of the season against Voždovac on 19 May 2018, for the first trophy in his professional career.[15]

2018–19 season

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In summer 2018, after overgrown youth selection, which previously qualified to the 2018–19 UEFA Youth League,[16] Joveljić started new season as a fully senior.[17] Following the complete pre-season period he passed with the first team, Joveljić was licensed for the 2018–19 UEFA Champions League qualifications.[18] Following both of matches against Spartaks Jūrmala in the first round he missed, Joveljić started an opening match of the 2018–19 Serbian SuperLiga, scoring in 3–0 victory over Dinamo Vranje on 20 July 2018.[19]

Eintracht Frankfurt

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On 14 June 2019, Joveljić signed a deal with German side Eintracht Frankfurt for a fee of €4 million.[20]

Loan to Anderlecht

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Joveljić joined Belgian club Anderlecht on loan until the end of the season on 31 January 2020.[21]

Loan to Wolfsberger AC

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Joveljić spent the 2020–21 season on loan at Austrian Bundesliga side Wolfsberger AC. He finished the season as the club's top scorer.

LA Galaxy

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On 5 August 2021, Joveljić signed a four-and-a-half-year deal with MLS side LA Galaxy.[22] He signed as a U22 Initiative player. On 15 August 2024, Joveljić scored a brace in El Tráfico, securing LA Galaxy's 4–2 victory.[23]

International career

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Being an ethnic Serb born and raised in the Republika Srpska entity within Bosnia and Herzegovina, Joveljić has represented Serbia since young age. After games with Serbian under-16 & under-17 national teams, Joveljić made his debut for under-18 level on 15 December 2015 in a match against Ukraine.[24] Later he missed the whole 2016 due to injury and returned to the team scoring a goal in a match against Uzbekistan on 20 April 2017.[25] Playing for the team, Joveljić noted 6 goals on 6 matches, including games against Czech Republic and France when he scored a twice at each.[26][27] In August 2017, Joveljić was called into the Serbia U19 squad, when he made a debut at the memorial tournament "Stevan Vilotić – Ćele".[28] Scoring a twice in 3–1 victory over Israel, Joveljić contributed to winning a trophy, after which he was elected for the most prospective player on the tournament.[29] Joveljić got his first call in Serbian under-21 team by coach Goran Đorović in December 2017.[30] He made his debut for the team in away friendly against Qatar on 17 December 2017.[31] While with under-19 level, Joveljić also scored against Bulgaria and Sweden in March 2018, missing to qualify for the 2018 UEFA European Under-19 Championship with Serbia.[32][33]

He made his debut for the senior national team on 7 June 2021 in a friendly against Jamaica.[34]

Style of play

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Joveljić is a 1.80 m tall striker, who usually operates as a centre forward, being capable of playing as a winger.[2] He has been started tracked during youth career and named as one of the most prospective players in academy, after which he joined the first team. Later he missed a period due to injury and a lack of weight, so he stayed out of the senior football since the 2016–17 campaign.[7] In his final season with youth team, Joveljić affirmed as a poacher and top goalscorer with several hat-tricks.[35] He was also compared with Argentine footballer Mauro Icardi[6] and a compatriot Luka Jović.[2] Joveljić uses both legs and he is also a good header and penalty taker.[36] Joveljić was named as a man of the match scoring three goals as a captain of the U19 squad in the youth Eternal Derby on 16 November 2017. He collected 33 goals in 14 appearances at total, during the first half-season in Serbian youth league.[37]

Personal life

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Joveljić attended a private school in Novi Sad. Besides football, he likes to play billiards and chess, and he is also a Rubik's Cube enthusiast.[38] His personal best is 39 seconds.[36]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 25 November 2024[39]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Red Star Belgrade 2016–17 Serbian SuperLiga 0 0 0 0 0 0
2017–18 4 3 0 0 0 0 4 3
2018–19 17 8 5 3 2[b] 0 24 11
Total 21 11 5 3 2 0 0 0 28 14
Eintracht Frankfurt 2019–20 Bundesliga 4 0 1 0 5[c] 1 10 1
Anderlecht (loan) 2019–20 Belgian First Division A 5 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
Wolfsberger AC (loan) 2020–21 Austrian Bundesliga 34 18 4 0 8 2 46 20
LA Galaxy 2021 MLS 14 2 0 0 14 2
2022 34 12 4 3 2[d] 1 40 16
2023 32 6 3 0 2 0 37 6
2024 31 19 0 0 31 19
Total 111 39 7 3 2 0 2 1 122 43
Career total 154 63 17 6 17 3 2 1 199 73

International

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As of 20 June 2023
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Serbia 2021 2 0
2022 0 0
2023 4 2
Total 6 2
Scores and results list Serbia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Joveljić goal.
List of international goals scored by Dejan Joveljić
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 16 June 2023 Franz Horr Stadium, Vienna, Austria   Jordan 2–2 3–2 Friendly
2 3–2

Honours

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Red Star Belgrade

LA Galaxy

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Дејан Јовељић". Red Star Belgrade official website (in Serbian). Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  2. ^ a b c "Upoznajte Dejana Joveljića: On nije špic koji traži dubinu! On je predator koji daje golove! (VIDEO)". mozzartsport.com (in Serbian). 5 October 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  3. ^ "Јовељић: Циљ ми је да дуже од Јовића останем у Звезди и да играм у Лиги шампиона". Večernje novosti (in Serbian). 4 April 2016. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  4. ^ "U jednom danu na Marakani potpisano 16 ugovora". mozzartsport.com (in Serbian). 10 March 2016. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  5. ^ "Талентовани нападач Звезде оболео од мононуклеозе". Večernje novosti (in Serbian). 12 August 2016. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  6. ^ a b ""Гардијан" направио листу од 60 најталентованијих младих играча: Јовељић српски Икарди". Večernje novosti (in Serbian). 5 October 2016. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  7. ^ a b "Dejan Joveljić za BUTASPORT.RS: Vratiću se još jači!". butasport.rs (in Serbian). 15 September 2017. Archived from the original on 15 August 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  8. ^ "Bijeljinac, Dejan Joveljić, kandidat za nagradu "Zlatni dečak"!". BN Televizija (in Serbian). 6 April 2017. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  9. ^ "ALO! PREDSTAVLJA Top 10 Zvezdinih klinaca za budućnost". Alo! (in Serbian). 31 May 2017. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  10. ^ "Joveljić prekomandovan u seniore: Talentovani omladinac pojačao konkurenciju u napadu Zvezde". RTV BK Telecom (in Serbian). 5 September 2017. Archived from the original on 10 December 2017. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  11. ^ "Дејан Јовељић продужио уговор!". Red Star Belgrade official website (in Serbian). 19 September 2017. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  12. ^ "Црвена звезда – Младост 2:1(2:0)". Red Star Belgrade official website (in Serbian). 22 October 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  13. ^ "Debi Joveljića! Prvo Zvezdino pojačanje za 2018. godinu..." mozzartsport.com (in Serbian). 10 December 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  14. ^ "Црвена звезда – Спартак 4:0 (3:0)". Red Star Belgrade official website (in Serbian). 5 May 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  15. ^ "KRAJ: Crvena zvezda – Voždovac 5:1 (VIDEO)". mozzartsport.com (in Serbian). 19 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  16. ^ "Zvezda u Ligi šampiona, trener napustio klub". mondo.rs (in Serbian). 5 June 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  17. ^ "Zvezda krenula u novu sezonu sa Melegom! Nema Milijaša". mozzartsport.com (in Serbian). 11 June 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  18. ^ "Ovo je Zvezdina formula za pobedu! Taktika koja vodi u LŠ". beogradskiportal.rs (in Serbian). 7 July 2018. Archived from the original on 23 July 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  19. ^ "Za ovo se živi! Zvezdin tandem koji će klubu doneti milione, oduševio za navijače na startu nove sezone (FOTO) (VIDEO)". telegraf.rs (in Serbian). 21 July 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  20. ^ "Neuzugang bei der Eintracht: Dejan Joveljic wird ein Adlerträger". Eintracht Frankfurt (in German). 14 June 2019. Archived from the original on 15 June 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  21. ^ "Joveljic zum RSC Anderlecht verliehen". Eintracht.de (in German). Eintracht Frankfurt. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  22. ^ "LA Galaxy acquire Serbian International forward Dejan Joveljić from Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt | LA Galaxy".
  23. ^ Beacham, Greg (15 September 2024). "LA Galaxy score 4 goals in the second half to roar past LAFC 4-2 in an El Tráfico rivalry matchup". CT Insider. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  24. ^ "У-18: Србијa – Укрaјинa 1:2 (0:0)". Football Association of Serbia (in Serbian). 15 December 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  25. ^ "Mlađi omladinci bolji od Uzbekistana". fudbal.info (in Serbian). 20 April 2017. Archived from the original on 11 December 2017. Retrieved 19 September 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  26. ^ "Mlađi omladinaci reprezentacije Srbije pobedili Češku (FOTO)". zerobetportal.com (in Serbian). 18 May 2017. Archived from the original on 10 December 2017. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  27. ^ "Mlađi omladinci Srbije deklasirali vršnjake iz Francuske". sportskacentrala.com (in Serbian). 3 June 2017. Archived from the original on 11 December 2017. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  28. ^ "Милош Велебит одабрао најбоље омладинце Србије за турнир "Стеван Ћеле Вилотић"". Football Association of Serbia (in Serbian). 24 August 2017. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  29. ^ "Генерација која много обећава тријумфовала на турниру "Стеван Ћеле Вилотић", савладан Израел 3:1 (1:0)". Football Association of Serbia (in Serbian). 4 September 2017. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  30. ^ "Ђоровићев списак за Катар: Играчи из Бајерн Минхена, вечитих ривала, чак и омладинац Јовељић!". Sportski žurnal (in Serbian). 4 December 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  31. ^ "Никад млађа селекција Србије до 21 године славила у Дохи против Катара -2:1(1:1)". Football Association of Serbia (in Serbian). 17 December 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  32. ^ "Омладинци бољи од Бугарске у Благоевграду у првој од две провере пред наставак квалификација за ЕП-1:0 (1:0)". Football Association of Serbia (in Serbian). 6 March 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  33. ^ "Луда утакмица и частан опроштај омладинаца, савладана Шведска -3:2 (2:0)". Football Association of Serbia (in Serbian). 27 March 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  34. ^ "Serbia v Jamaica game report". Eurosport. 7 June 2021.
  35. ^ "OMLADINSKA LIGA: Nova goleada Zvezde i novi het-trik Joveljića". hotsport.rs (in Serbian). 9 September 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  36. ^ a b "(VIDEO) ZVEZDA IMA GENIJA! Dejan Joveljić rešeta levom, desnom, glavom, igra šah kao velemajstor..." Informer (in Serbian). 25 September 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  37. ^ "NEZAUSTAVLJIVI KLINAC Ovako igra Zvezdin špic Dejan Joveljić, strelac 33 gola ove jeseni /VIDEO/". Blic (in Serbian). 3 December 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  38. ^ "Упознајте Дејана Јовељића". Red Star Belgrade official website (in Serbian). 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  39. ^ Dejan Joveljić at Soccerway
  40. ^ Sigal, Jonathan (7 December 2024). "Champions! LA Galaxy lift MLS Cup 2024 over New York Red Bulls". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
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