Former Barcelona midfielder Alen Halilovic – dubbed by some as “the Croatian Lionel Messi” – has joined Championship side Birmingham City on a free transfer.
Halilovic Signs for Birmingham City on Short-Term Contract
Croatian Joins Birmingham After Being Released by AC Milan
Halilovic is Aitor Karanka’s 12th signing as Birmingham manager since taking over in July earlier this year.
The Croatian international joins Birmingham with the club eight points off the play-offs. However, Karanka’s side are also six points away from the relegation places.
The attacking midfielder has had spells with both Barcelona and AC Milan, although failed to establish himself at either club.
Halilovic burst onto the scene on September 26, 2012, when he become Dinamo Zagreb’s youngest ever player at 16-years-old.
11 days later, he came off the bench to score the final goal in a 4-1 victory, becoming the youngest goalscorer in the history of the Croatian top flight.
The left-footed player continued to break records – in 2012, he became Zagreb’s youngest Champions League player as well as the second youngest player in the history of the competition, when he came on against Paris Saint-Germain.
Moves Around Europe
Halilovic joined Barcelona on a five-year deal from Zagreb as a 17-year-old in 2014. However, he played almost exclusively for the Spanish giants’ “B” team.
After spending a season on loan at Sporting Gijon, Halilovic joined German outfit Hamburg on a permanent deal in 2016.
Another loan spell followed, this time at Las Palmas, before Halilovic signed for AC Milan in 2018. He made just six appearances for Hamburg.
Upon joining Milan, the Croatian once again failed to nail down a starting place at his parent club. This resulted in loan spells at both Standard Liege and Heerenveen.
Halilovic was eventually released by Milan last month, without a single first-team appearance.
Halilovic will wear the number 35 shirt. The club has also confirmed he will not be eligible in time for tomorrow evening’s Sky Bet Championship fixture with Luton Town.
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