Sead Kolašinac

Sead Kolašinac (pronounced [sěad kolaʃîːnats]; born 20 June 1993) is a professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Serie A club Atalanta. Born in Germany, he plays for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team.

Kolašinac started his professional career at Schalke 04, playing first in its reserve team, before joining Arsenal in 2017, who loaned him back to Schalke 04 in 2021. The following year, he moved to Marseille. A year later, he signed with Atalanta.

A former German youth international, Kolašinac made his senior international debut for Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2013, earning over 70 caps since. He represented the nation at their first ever major championship, the 2014 FIFA World Cup and also at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Kolašinac started playing football at his hometown club Karlsruher SC, which he joined in 2001. In 2009, he moved to TSG Hoffenheim's youth academy. A year later, he switched to VfB Stuttgart's youth setup. In 2011, he went to Schalke 04's youth academy. In June 2012, he signed his first professional contract with the team. He made his professional debut against Greuther Fürth on 15 September at the age of 19.

Kolašinac debuted in the UEFA Champions League away at Montpellier on 4 December.

In June 2013, he extended his deal with the squad until June 2017.

In August 2014, he suffered a severe knee injury, which was diagnosed as an anterior cruciate ligament tear and was ruled out for at least six months. Over seven months after the injury, on 11 April 2015, he returned to the pitch.

On 13 December, he scored his first professional goal against FC Augsburg.

In June 2017, Kolašinac signed a five-year contract with English side Arsenal.

He made his official debut for the club in the 2017 FA Community Shield match against Chelsea on 6 August, scored a goal and won his first trophy. A week later, he made his league debut against Leicester City.

In September 2017, he was voted Arsenal's Player of the Month for August.

On 28 October, he scored his first league goal for the squad in a triumph over Swansea City.

He was once again voted Arsenal's Player of the Month, this time for October.

In August 2018, Kolašinac picked up a knee injury during a pre-season clash against Chelsea, which ruled him out for the start of the season. He made his season debut in a UEFA Europa League tie against Qarabağ on 4 October.

Kolašinac played his first fixture of the campaign in a defeat of Burnley on 17 August 2019.

On 15 July 2020, he made his 100th appearance for the side against Liverpool.

He won his first major piece of silverware with Arsenal on 1 August, by beating Chelsea in the FA Cup final.

Kolašinac debuted in the season in the 2020 FA Community Shield tie against Liverpool on 29 August.

In January 2021, he was sent on a six-month loan to his former club Schalke 04 and became its captain. He played his first competitive game for the team since coming back on 9 January against TSG Hoffenheim. On 27 February, he scored first goal for Schalke 04 since his comeback in a loss to VfB Stuttgart.

Kolašinac appeared in his first match of the season in an EFL Cup fixture against West Bromwich Albion on 25 August.

In November, he suffered an ankle injury, which was diagnosed as a broken ankle and was expected to be sidelined for at least two months.

In January 2022, Kolašinac moved to French outfit Marseille on a deal until June 2023. He debuted officially for the squad on 4 February against Angers. On 13 November, he scored his first goal for Marseille against Monaco, which secured the victory for his team.

In July 2023, Kolašinac joined Italian side Atalanta on a three-year contract. He debuted competitively for the outfit against Sassuolo on 20 August. On 8 October, he scored his first goal for Atalanta against Lazio. He won his first title with the club on 22 May 2024, by beating Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Europa League final.

Kolašinac scored his first UEFA Champions League goal on 26 November against Young Boys.

In April 2025, he suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament again and was predicted to miss at least half a year. He made his return to action over seven months after the injury, on 26 November.

He appeared in his 100th match for the team on 11 April 2026 against Juventus.

In May, he penned a new one-year contract with Atalanta.

Despite representing Germany at various youth levels, Kolašinac decided to play for Bosnia and Herzegovina at the senior level.

In November 2013, his request to change sports citizenship from German to Bosnian was approved by FIFA. Later that month, he received his first senior call up, for a friendly game against Argentina, and debuted in that match on 18 November.

In June 2014, Kolašinac was named in Bosnia and Herzegovina's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, country's first ever major competition. He made his tournament debut in the opening group tie against Argentina on 15 June.

In June 2026, Kolašinac was selected for Bosnia and Herzegovina's team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He debuted in the contest during the opening group fixture against Canada on 12 June.

During his career, Kolašinac has been deployed as a centre-back and as a defensive midfielder, although he spent most of the time playing as a left-back. He possesses very strong body build and strength.

Kolašinac married his long-time girlfriend Susubelle in June 2019. Together they have a daughter named Soleil.

He is a practising Muslim; together with international teammates Ibrahim Šehić, Muhamed Bešić, Armin Hodžić, Izet Hajrović, Edin Višća and Ervin Zukanović he visited a mosque in Zenica during the national team's concentration.

UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season: 2018–19