On this day eight years ago, Slobodan Jakovljević signed for HŠK Zrinjski.
At that time, the 27-year-old central defender joined the Plemići after winning the BiH Cup with Radnik, where he had spent one season. Wearing the Zrinjski jersey, he achieved legendary status by winning four league titles (2017, 2018, 2022, 2023) and two Cups (2023, 2024).
He made his official debut on July 12, 2016, in a 1-1 draw against Polish side Legia in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers. He entered the “Club 100” on August 8, 2019, during a European defeat to Malmö (0-3), and reached “Club 200” three years later, on November 13, 2022, in a match where the Plemići won 2-1 away against FK Tuzla City.
Today, Jakovljević has 246 official appearances, placing him behind only record-holders Pero Stojkić and Nemanja Bilbija, who have 257 appearances in the Zrinjski jersey. Notably, he has scored 19 goals.
In his first season with Zrinjski, the Ultras-Zrinjski fan club awarded Jakovljević the “Filip Šunjić – Pipa” trophy. His importance to the team over the past eight seasons is further evidenced by being named to the season’s best team by players and coaches six times.
The now 35-year-old Jakovljević was born in Priština, and before coming to BiH in 2015, he played in Serbia (FK Mladost Apatin, RFK Novi Sad, FK Novi Pazar, FK Inđija, FK Radnik Surdulica, FK Spartak Subotica) and Hungary (SZTK).
Nine years ago, he joined his twin brother Ivan in Bijeljina, who had moved to Radnik from FK Zvijezda Gradačac six months earlier. Twelve months later, Slobodan continued his career in Mostar, while Ivan stayed at Radnik for another six months before continuing his career in Albania.
Jakovljević has extended his contract with the eight-time champions three times so far – in 2017, 2019, and 2022, with a fourth extension soon to come…
