Eldin Jakupović

Eldin Jakupović (born 2 October 1984) is a Bosnian-born Swiss professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Premier League club Hull City.

He started his professional career at Grasshopper in 2004, then moved to FC Thun a year later. After success there, Jakupović joined FC Lokomotiv Moscow in March 2006. In September 2011, he joined Aris, and in 2012 moved to Hull.

Having played at under-21 level for both Bosnia and Switzerland, he earned his only senior cap for the latter in 2008, and was part of their squad at UEFA Euro 2008.

Club career

Early career

Jakupović was born in Prijedor, SFR Yugoslavia, present-day Bosnia and Herzegovina. He moved to Switzerland at a young age due to the Bosnian War and started his professional career at Grasshopper in 2004. He then moved to FC Thun in 2005. After a successful spell at FC Thun, Jakupović joined FC Lokomotiv Moscow in March 2006.

Grasshopper

Jakupović moved on a year-long loan to Grasshopper on 30 August 2007. He scored a 94th-minute equaliser against BSC Young Boys in his third match for the club, earning Grasshopper a 3–3 draw. During the season Jakupović forced Fabio Coltorti to the bench as his backup. At the end of the 2007–08 season, Jakupović extended his loan at Grasshopper for another year, which meant new signing goalkeeper Massimo Colomba was benched.

Lokomotiv return

On 31 August 2009, Jakupović was confirmed as part of the Lokomotiv Moscow squad, with Ivan Pelizzoli leaving on loan to join AlbinoLeffe.^[3] Due to the number of foreigners in the Lokomotiv squad, Jakupović was asked to go out on loan again. In December, Jakupović went on trial at Tottenham Hotspur and had a successful week.^[4] However, due to various reasons a deal could not be completed with Lokomotiv Moscow. After a turbulent time with the Lokomotiv management, Jakupović was allowed to be released.

Olympiakos Volou

Jakupović had a fine season with Olympiakos Volou. After they were relegated to the Delta Ethniki, Jakupović left the team.

Aris

On 30 September 2011, Jakupović joined Aris, with three other ex-teammates, Noe Acosta, Javier Umbides and Khalifa Sankare. He made his debut on 5 November 2011, against Olympiakos SFP, which finished 2–3.

Hull City

On 20 March 2012, Jakupović joined English Championship club Hull City on trial, and after impressing in training and a friendly match Hull manager Nick Barmby expressed a desire to sign Jakupović on a permanent contract.^[5] Following the sacking of Nick Barmby, Jakupović had trials with Ipswich Town. On 9 July 2012, Jakupović signed for Hull City on a two-year contract, becoming Steve Bruce's first full signing as manager.^[6][7] He officially joined the team on their pre-season training session in Portugal. He made his debut in a 3–1 friendly win against North Ferriby United on 16 July 2012. His first Championship match for The Tigers came on 21 December 2012 at Derby County, when he played in a 2–1 victory as Hull moved into second place in the Championship table.^[8] This was followed up by three more league appearances, all of which consisted of clean sheets.

In January 2014 Jakupović joined Leyton Orient on loan until 8 February.^[9] On 29 January 2014, Jakupović was recalled to parent club Hull City.^[10] On 13 February 2014, Jakupović re-joined Leyton Orient until 17 May 2014,^[11] but was again recalled on 27 March 2014.^[12]

On 9 July 2014 Jakupović signed a new two-year contract with Hull City,^[13] and began their Premier League campaign as third-choice goalkeeper behind Allan McGregor and Steven Harper. He made his first appearance of the season on 18 October away to Arsenal as a substitute when Harper injured his arm before half-time, and did not concede until Danny Welbeck equalised for 2–2 in added time.^[14] A week later he started for the first time in the division, keeping a clean sheet in a goalless draw against Liverpool.^[15]

Jakupović started for Hull against Arsenal in the FA Cup fifth round on 20 February 2016, at the Emirates Stadium. He made 12 saves to earn his side a 0–0 draw, which led to a replay at the KC Stadium. ^[16]

On 24 June 2016 Jakupović signed a new 2-year deal with Hull City.^[17] Since McGregor was out with a back injury that ruled him out for about six month,^[18] Jakupović started off the 2016–17 season against Premier League Champions, Leicester City and helped earn the Tigers a 2–1 victory on opening day.^[19]

International career

Jakupović in training for the Swiss national team in June 2008

Jakupović has dual citizenship, both Bosnian and Swiss, and has represented both at under-21 level.

He has played for Bosnia and Herzegovina U21 for two competitive matches,^[20][21] and a friendly match against Austria U21 for Switzerland on 1 March 2006.

In August 2005, Jakupović received his first call-up to the Bosnia and Herzegovina national squad which was a match against Belgium and Lithuania, however he did not accept the call up. In March 2007, Jakupović was asked again to play for the senior Bosnia and Herzegovina against Norway, but declined the offer. Jakupović was included in the Swiss UEFA Euro 2008 squad. He made his debut on 20 August 2008 in a friendly match against Cyprus. He was called up for the first two matches of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification,^[22] but was an unused substitute.

In October 2008, Jakupović said that he would not play again for the Swiss national team due to family reasons.^[23]

Career statistics

As of 25 October 2016^[24][25][26]

Honours

Hull City

• Championship play-offs: 2015–16^[27]

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Eldin Jakupović.

• Official UEFA player page
• Eldin Jakupović – FIFA competition record
• Eldin Jakupović career statistics at Soccerbase
  

Switzerland squad – UEFA Euro 2008
1 Benaglio 2 Djourou 3 Magnin 4 Senderos 5 Lichtsteiner 6 Huggel 7 Cabanas 8 Inler 9 Frei (c) 10 Yakin 11 Streller 12 Derdiyok 13 Grichting 14 Gygax 15 Fernandes 16 Barnetta 17 Spycher 18 Zuberbühler 19 Behrami 20 Müller 21 Jakupović 22 Vonlanthen 23 Degen Coach: Kuhn